Michael E. Gates

Wants the AG to investigate credible election-irregularity complaints, enforce election laws so voter rolls are accurate, secure and lawfully maintained, and hold non-compliant individuals/agencies accountable to restore public confidence in California elections.

“Recent incidents, including a dog named Maya being registered and participating in multiple election cycles, have raised legitimate concerns about whether election laws are being consistently enforced. ... As Attorney General, Michael Gates will: Investigate all credible complaints of election irregularities and alleged violations of California election law; Enforce existing election laws to ensure voter rolls are accurate, secure, and lawfully maintained; Hold accountable any individual or agency that fails to comply with election integrity requirements.”

gates4ag.com·As of August 2026

Supports enforcing environmental laws already on the books - protecting coastal zones, wildlife habitats, water supplies and high fire-risk areas from reckless or unlawful development - while giving local agencies, not Sacramento bureaucrats, control over environmental evaluation and land-use review.

“Protect sensitive coastal zones, wildlife habitats, water supplies, and high fire-risk areas from reckless or unlawful development”

gates4ag.com·As of August 2026

Vows to investigate and prosecute fraud at every level - citing roughly $24B in homelessness-program spending, $18B+ on high-speed rail, and $32.6B in unemployment-insurance fraud - demand full transparency with public reporting and independent audits, hold officials and contractors accountable, and sue to recover misspent funds.

“California has poured hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars into high-profile programs, yet $250 billion has been lost and unaccounted for due to fraud, waste, and mismanagement. ... As Attorney General, Michael Gates will: Investigate and prosecute fraud at every level. Demand full transparency with real public reporting and independent audits. Hold public officials and private contractors accountable when they misuse funds. Defend taxpayers by suing to recover lost funds.”

gates4ag.com·As of August 2026

Treats gun ownership as a constitutional right rather than a privilege: defend Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Californians, oppose restrictions he views as unconstitutional, streamline CCW processes, and direct enforcement at violent criminals, gang members and repeat offenders rather than responsible gun owners.

“The right to keep and bear arms is a constitutional right, not a privilege handed out by Sacramento politicians. ... As Attorney General, Michael Gates will: Defend the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Californians; Oppose unconstitutional attacks on the right to keep and bear arms; Streamline processes for CCWs; Focus enforcement on violent criminals, gangs and repeat offenders - not responsible gun owners.”

gates4ag.com·As of August 2026

Approaches homelessness with enforcement of existing camping/loitering and open-drug laws alongside treatment-first programs: enforce laws against encampments, open drug use and trafficking, demand transparency and accountability for homelessness spending, and expand programs moving people off the streets into treatment and society.

“Michael Gates believes homelessness should be addressed with compassion, accountability, and results. The current system rewards failure, traps people in addiction and mental illness, and leaves communities unsafe. As Attorney General, he will focus on fixing what Gavin Newsom broke by: Demanding transparency and accountability for homelessness spending; Supporting treatment-first solutions for addiction and severe mental illness; Enforcing laws against open drug use, encampments, and trafficking; Expanding programs that move people off the streets, into treatment, and back into society.”

gates4ag.com·As of August 2026

Opposes Sacramento's one-size-fits-all state housing mandates that override local voters and force development into sensitive or fire-prone areas; defends the authority of cities and counties over zoning, land use and housing decisions and voter-approved charters. As HB City Attorney he fought elements of new state housing laws that would have compelled Huntington Beach to build more affordable housing.

“Defend the constitutional authority of cities and counties to control zoning, land use, and housing decisions”

gates4ag.com·As of August 2026