Rob Bonta, the state’s Democratic Attorney General, was expected to vie to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom as governor in 2026. Bonta said Wednesday he’ll run for reelection instead.

Bonta's decision could help clear the field for other potential candidates, including former Vice President Kamala Harris.

During an interview outlining the next stage of his career, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said he won’t run to replace Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. After considering a run for months to continue climbing the ladder in California politics all the way to the top,

PEOPLE MOVES — Speaking of Rob Bonta running for reelection as AG, veteran political consultants Courtni Pugh and Newman are now senior advisers to his campaign. Newman and Pugh are both Newsom alums, and Newman most recently ran the IE in support of San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s successful campaign.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is not running for governor in 2026. The Democratic AG told his supporters in an email Wednesday that while he appreciates them urging him to make a gubernatorial bid,

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has decided not to run for governor in 2026 and instead plans to run for reelection as Attorney General for the next 6 years.