The California State Sheriffs’ Association (CSSA), representing all 58 elected sheriffs across the state, has formally endorsed constitutional lawyer Michael Gates for California Attorney General.
The endorsement signals a major shift in statewide law‑enforcement sentiment heading into the 2026 election, with sheriffs publicly backing Gates as the candidate they believe will restore accountability, reverse harmful policies, and strengthen public safety.
The CSSA’s endorsement letter confirms that Gates has permission to use the association’s name in campaign materials, underscoring the organization’s confidence in his commitment to law and order.
Why Law Enforcement Does Not Support the incumbent CA State Attorney General Rob Bonta
Across California, sheriffs, police chiefs, district attorneys, and rank‑and‑file officers have repeatedly expressed frustration with Attorney General Rob Bonta’s record.
The CSSA endorsement highlights a growing divide between law enforcement and the current Attorney General. Officers argue that Bonta has taken actions that undermine public safety, weaken accountability, and embolden repeat offenders. Key concerns frequently cited by law‑enforcement leaders include:
- Support for Proposition 47 and refusal to fix its loopholes — Law‑enforcement agencies have long warned that Prop 47’s reclassification of many felonies to misdemeanors has fueled retail theft, drug crimes, and repeat‑offender cycles. Bonta has defended the measure and opposed efforts to restore felony consequences for serial theft and fentanyl trafficking.
- Opposition to stricter penalties for organized retail theft — Sheriffs and prosecutors have criticized Bonta for resisting legislative proposals that would increase penalties for smash‑and‑grab crews, arguing that his stance has made it harder to deter coordinated theft rings.
- Reduced cooperation with local law enforcement on violent‑crime prosecutions — Multiple district attorneys have stated that the Attorney General’s office has declined to take cases involving gang violence, firearm enhancements, and repeat violent offenders, leaving counties without needed support.
- Advocacy for early release policies — Law‑enforcement organizations have opposed Bonta’s support for expanded parole eligibility and reduced sentencing enhancements, arguing that these policies release dangerous offenders too quickly and without adequate supervision.
- Investigations targeting police rather than criminals — Sheriffs have criticized Bonta for prioritizing investigations into police departments while failing to provide resources to combat rising violent crime, fentanyl deaths, and organized theft.
- Resistance to prosecuting quality‑of‑life crimes — Officers argue that Bonta’s approach has discouraged enforcement of drug possession, public‑order violations, and repeat misdemeanor offenses, contributing to unsafe conditions in parks, transit systems, and business districts.
These actions have created a statewide environment where criminals feel emboldened, consequences are weakened, and law‑enforcement agencies lack the support they need from the state’s top prosecutor.
The CSSA endorsement of Gates reflects a belief among sheriffs that California needs an Attorney General who will reverse these trends.
Michael Gates Responds to the CSSA Endorsement
Michael Gates praised the endorsement, stating that California’s law‑enforcement community has been “abandoned by elitist politicians in Sacramento” and that the state has become less safe under current leadership. Gates emphasized that restoring the rule of law will be his first priority on day one, promising to give sheriffs and police officers the tools they need to protect families across the state.
Biography: Who Is Michael Gates?
Michael Gates is a constitutional lawyer and former Huntington Beach City Attorney known for his aggressive legal defense of public safety, local control, and constitutional rights. Gates gained statewide recognition for challenging state mandates he argued violated local authority, including housing directives and public‑safety restrictions. His background includes:
- Constitutional law practice focused on government accountability and civil liberties
- Tenure as Huntington Beach City Attorney, where he led high‑profile legal battles against state overreach
- Advocacy for victims’ rights, stronger sentencing laws, and increased support for law‑enforcement agencies
- Public‑safety leadership through litigation aimed at protecting neighborhoods from crime, drug activity, and repeat offenders
Gates has built a reputation as a tough, unapologetic defender of law enforcement and a critic of policies he believes weaken public safety. The CSSA endorsement positions him as the preferred candidate among California’s sheriffs.