Former Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates has announced his candidacy for California Attorney General in 2026. Gates is running as part of a Republican slate, which includes gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton and candidate for lieutenant governor, former State Senator Gloria Romero.
“Our state is broken and deserves so much better - we need leaders who fight for the people, who will crack down hard on crime so we have safer streets and a welcoming environment for businesses,” Gates wrote on X. “We need accountability in government, strong local communities, and leaders who listen to our people. I’ll enforce the law, defend our police and sheriffs departments, protect parents’ rights, ensure elections integrity, and stand up for Californians.”
Gates was first elected as Surf City’s top attorney in 2014. He left in February 2025 to serve as a deputy assistant attorney general in the U.S. Justice Department. His departure from the DOJ after about 10 months became the subject of conflicting reports, with some alleging he was terminated for cause and Gates saying he had resigned.
During his tenure in Huntington Beach, Gates experienced several controversies and legal setbacks. A former deputy city attorney filed an age discrimination suit against him and the city in 2019. The city settled that suit for $2.9 million. In 2025, a judge ordered Huntington Beach to pay more than $180,000 in attorney’s fees stemming from the Pacific Airshow debacle, citing Gates’ failure to release the full Pacific Airshow settlement when it was reached.
Gates led the city’s legal fight against California’s housing mandates, which resulted in costly litigation. He also championed Huntington Beach’s voter ID law, which was struck down by the 4th District Court of Appeal last year.
For many Republican voters and conservative activists, however, Gates’ campaign represents the bold leadership they want to see at the attorney general’s office.
“This man, Michael Gates, he is the fighter we need for California,” Hilton declared at an event Wednesday. You know better than anyone because he led that revolution right here in Huntington Beach.”