California Attorney General Rob Bonta has officially announced that he will not be running for governor in the upcoming 2026 election. This decision comes after months of speculation about his potential candidacy in the crowded race to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom.
Instead of pursuing the governorship, Bonta has chosen to seek reelection as attorney general and throw his support behind former Vice President Kamala Harris if she decides to enter the race. Harris, who is currently mulling over her options after returning to Los Angeles, has received praise from Bonta, who believes she would be a strong candidate for the position.
Bonta had been considering a run for governor last year but ultimately decided against it, citing the victory of Republican President Donald Trump over Harris as a factor in his decision. With other prominent contenders like former Rep. Katie Porter already making moves to run, Bonta felt that his path to the governor’s office would be challenging.
Instead, Bonta has chosen to focus on leading California’s legal defense against Trump’s policies on immigration, gender, climate change, and more. In his role as attorney general, Bonta has embraced his position as the face of California’s legal resistance to the president’s actions, positioning himself as a key figure in the state’s opposition to Trump.
His decision not to run for governor has reshaped the race, with several prominent Democrats already in the running. The field includes Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former state Senate leader Toni Atkins, former state Controller Betty Yee, and state schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond. The potential entry of Harris, Porter, or former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra could further alter the dynamics of the race.
While Bonta’s decision not to run may boost Porter’s prospects in the race, it also comes amidst scrutiny over his campaign contributions. Last year, Bonta returned over $160,000 in contributions after questions were raised about the sources of the funds and his actions as attorney general. Recent reports have also highlighted his acceptance of contributions from a casino under investigation by his office.
Despite these challenges, Bonta’s team maintains that his decision not to run for governor is unrelated to the scrutiny over his campaign contributions. Instead, they emphasize his commitment to his role as attorney general and the importance of his work in the face of Trump’s policies.
In the rapidly changing political landscape of California, Bonta’s decision not to run for governor marks a significant development in the race to succeed Governor Newsom. With the field of candidates already crowded and more potential contenders on the horizon, the 2026 election promises to be a compelling and closely watched contest.
