Michael E. Gates
Candidate for California Attorney General · Republican
On the 2026 ballotChallenger · California Attorney General · Nov 3 General
Ballot status source: California Secretary of State — Certified List of Candidates, November 3, 2026 General Election (certified 2026-08-27): Attorney General · read Aug 27, 2026
Running for California Attorney General, Nov 3 General. The race page has 1 other candidate, 2 certified results. See the race
Advertising
Who is advertising for and against Michael
Advertising summary · for and against (2026 cycle)
For: own campaign $78,600 on Google (“Gates for Attorney General 2026 % Lisa Ray” 23 ads, Aug 19–Sep 24, 2026); outside Google ads $0–$0; Snap $0; broadcast TV not searched. Against: outside Google ads $0–$0; opponent campaign ads $0–$0; Snap $0. 2026 cycle. FEC independent expenditures: not applicable (state race). Meta: not searched — no API access.
Sep 24, 2026 · Official · Ads summary (2026 cycle) · source
Spend as each platform or filing reports it. Each line is a separate measure, and they are not added together.
In Their Words
What they have said, on the record
“I consider myself the law-and-order candidate. I have a very long, well-documented history of fighting for the rule of law”
In the News
Press coverage
- Gates on his candidacy (SF Examiner Q&A)Aug 19, 2026 · Press · San Francisco Examiner — GOP's Gates offers sharp contrast with Bonta for attorney general (Troy Wolverton)
Headlines link to the original reporting, captured on the date shown.
The Paper Trail
Filings, results and exhibits
Attorney General · CA-AG
Republican · Candidate · On the 2026 ballot
Sep 4, 2026 · Official · California Secretary of StateOn the ballot: California Attorney General · November 3, 2026 general election
Listed on the California Secretary of State's Certified List of Candidates for the November 3, 2026 General Election (certified August 27, 2026), 'Attorney General', as Michael E. Gates (Republican), ballot designation "Deputy United States Attorney". Top-two general; opponent: Rob Bonta* (Democratic).
Aug 27, 2026 · Official · CA SOS Certified List of Candidates, Nov 3, 2026 General Election · sourceJune 2, 2026 top-two primary, Attorney General: 3,337,433 votes (37.9%), finished second statewide · advances to November
California Secretary of State, Statement of Vote, June 2, 2026 Primary Election, Attorney General, state totals: Rob Bonta* (DEM) 4,979,967; Michael E. Gates (REP) 3,337,433; Marjorie Mikels (GRN) 478,450. Total 8,795,850.
Jun 2, 2026 · Official · CA SOS Statement of Vote, June 2, 2026 Primary · source
Not on file for Michael yet: Key Votes, Their Money, Reach Them. Coverage varies by state and office.
File read Sep 25, 2026. Each item names its source. Record ID p_dd2n01g66.
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