Democrat Rob Bonta faces challenge from Republican Nathan Hochman in race for attorney general

Democrat Rob Bonta took office as California attorney general in April 2021, filling the position that Xavier Becerra left vacant when he joined the Biden administration.

Bonta now is running to keep his post as California’s top cop. It’s Bonta’s first statewide campaign after his career in the Assembly.

He’s running against Republican Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor.

Rob Bonta

Party: Democratic

Age: 51

Birthplace: Quezon City, Philippines

Residence: Alameda

Occupation: Attorney General, appointed in 2021

Education: Bachelor’s and law degree, Yale University

Offices held: Assemblyman, 2012-2021; Alameda City Council, 2010-2012

Website: RobBonta.com

Why do you believe you are the best candidate for attorney general?

As your attorney general and chief law enforcement officer, I’m fighting to protect the rights, freedoms and safety of all Californians. As the Supreme Court stripped away women’s right to choose, my office is leading the nation in protecting abortion rights. Pro-choice groups like Planned Parenthood say re-electing me is one of the most important steps Californians can take to preserve reproductive freedom.

Under my leadership, my office has successfully defended California’s gun safety laws from being overturned. We have taken thousands of illegal guns off our streets and out of the hands of felons and domestic abusers.

Both law enforcement organizations and victims’ rights advocates have praised my office’s actions to protect public safety and hold those who break the law accountable. I launched new special investigative teams to apprehend sex traffickers and take down criminal street gangs. As AG, I have supported recent increases in funding for community policing programs, prosecutions of violent crimes, and crime prevention strategies like addiction and mental health treatment.

What are your top three priorities for the role?

My top three priorities are protecting public safety, defending reproductive health care, and fighting gun violence and expanding gun safety interventions. As attorney general, it is my duty to protect the constitutional and civil rights of every Californian. At a moment when the far-right legal movement and Republican governors across the country are trying to take away fundamental freedoms and civil rights, California must do everything in its power to beat back these far-right attacks — all while protecting public safety. The work my office has undertaken is a good indicator of what I hope to accomplish over the next four years.

Nathan Hochman

Age: 58

Party: Republican

Birthplace: Los Angeles

Residence: Los Angeles

Occupation: Attorney

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Brown University; law degree, Stanford

Offices held: none

Website: nathanhochman.com

The candidate did not respond to questions.