SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Diya TV) — California Attorney General Rob Bonta has decided not to enter the 2026 race for governor, choosing instead to seek reelection to his current post as the state’s top law enforcement official. His decision keeps him out of an already crowded Democratic field and positions him to continue leading legal challenges against the Trump administration.
Bonta confirmed his decision in an interview with POLITICO, saying recent actions by the White House strengthened his resolve to remain attorney general. He cited President Donald Trump’s move to freeze welfare funds to California and other Democratic-led states, along with a controversial shooting involving a federal immigration agent. Bonta said these developments made clear where he believes he can have the greatest impact.
He described his role as being on the “front lines” of protecting Californians. He added that the attorney general’s office allows him to act in ways other offices, including the governor’s office, cannot.
As attorney general, Bonta has become a national figure among Democratic state officials. Over the past year, he has filed more than 50 lawsuits against the Trump administration. The cases have challenged actions related to immigration enforcement, federal control of the National Guard, cuts to food assistance programs, and efforts to defund Planned Parenthood.
Bonta leads the largest state Department of Justice in the nation. He has often partnered with attorneys general from other blue states to push back against federal policies. Those efforts have raised his national profile, even as his name recognition within California remains limited. He said staying in his current role allows him to continue that work without interruption.
Bonta informed political allies in Sacramento of his choice over the weekend. This marks the second time in 2025 that he has declined to run for governor. Earlier this year, he said he would support former Vice President Kamala Harris if she entered the race. Harris later decided not to run.
In recent weeks, labor unions encouraged Bonta to reconsider. Their outreach followed decisions by Sen. Alex Padilla and Harris to stay out of the contest. It also came as former Rep. Katie Porter, once a polling leader, faced public setbacks. Despite the pressure, Bonta said he never seriously wavered.
Bonta’s decision also comes amid scrutiny of his own campaign finances. He returned donations from owners of an Oakland waste-hauling company charged in a federal bribery case. He has also faced questions about nearly $500,000 in campaign spending on legal services.
A spokesperson said Bonta was approached as a possible victim in the bribery scheme. Bonta has denied wrongdoing and said the issues did not affect his decision about the governor’s race.
Had Bonta entered the contest, he would have been the highest-ranking statewide official in the field. Still, political analysts viewed a run as risky. His statewide name recognition trails that of other prominent Democrats. Giving up the attorney general’s office for an uncertain bid carried clear downsides.
Bonta acknowledged the uncertainty. He said he believed he could win but noted that no election is guaranteed. He emphasized that polls did not guide his decision. He said his sense of duty played the biggest role.
With Bonta out, the Democratic race for California governor remains wide open. Major contenders include Porter, former Attorney General and Biden administration official Xavier Becerra, Rep. Eric Swalwell, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Other candidates include billionaire donor Tom Steyer, former state Controller Betty Yee, state schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond, and former lawmaker Ian Calderon. Bonta said he does not plan to endorse a candidate at this stage.
