Attorney General Bonta’s passion for justice and fairness was instilled in him by his parents, who served on the frontlines of some of America’s most important social justice movements. Instilling in him the lessons they learned from the United Farm Workers and the Civil Rights Movement, Attorney General Bonta’s parents lit a fire inside him to fight against injustice — to stand up for those who are taken advantage of or harmed. It’s why he decided to become a lawyer — to help right historic wrongs and fight for people who have been harmed. He worked his way through college and graduated with honors from Yale University and attended Yale Law School.

Prior to serving as Attorney General, he was elected to the CA State Assembly, and before that worked as Deputy City Attorney in San Francisco.

In the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta enacted nation-leading reforms to inject more justice and fairness into government and institutions. As the People’s Attorney, he sees seeking accountability from those who abuse their power and harm others as one of the most important functions of the job. In elected office, he has taken on powerful interests and advanced systemic change — pursuing corporate accountability, standing up for workers, punishing big polluters, and fighting racial injustice. He has been a national leader in the fight to transform the criminal justice system, banning private prisons and detention facilities in California, as well as pushing to eliminate cash bail in the state. He has led and continues to lead statewide fights for racial, economic, and environmental justice and worked to further the rights of immigrant families, renters, and working Californians, and is fighting to deliver justice for all Californians.

As California’s Attorney General and California’s chief law officer, Bonta is the “attorney for the people” and holds those who break the law – especially those in positions of power – accountable and wins justice for California families. He knows that enforcing the law and public service is about helping people, making people’s lives better, and improving the human condition. His priorities include:

-Stopping Gun Violence -Fighting hate and protecting civil rights -Stopping transnational criminal organizations and helping victims of crime -Protecting healthcare and reproductive freedom -More safety and fairness in our justice system -Standing up to powerful interests who cheat consumers -Justice for workers and tackling the underground economy -Taking on big polluters -Standing up for immigrant communities