Meet Michael

Michael Gates is a husband, father of five, and an experienced attorney who will fight for Californians as our next Attorney General. As a lifelong Californian, he has deep roots in this state and a strong commitment to family, hard work, and public service.



Michael began his legal career in private practice as a litigator and trial attorney, eventually becoming a partner at an Orange County law firm. After establishing himself as an accomplished trial attorney, in 2014, Michael left a successful private practice to serve the public as the elected City Attorney of Huntington Beach, a position he held for ten years after winning citywide elections in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

As City Attorney, Michael became known for a tough, hands-on approach to public safety. He established Huntington Beach’s first-ever local Criminal Prosecutor Program in 2017 in response to Sacramento’s ongoing attack on law enforcement and the criminal justice system. The program emphasized prosecuting misdemeanors with the same seriousness as felonies, supporting law enforcement, and restoring quality of life. As a result, Huntington Beach reported an 11.5% reduction in crime in the city’s downtown area, and Michael became of champion for police officers, consistently fighting for them in court, and winning. Michael quickly built a record of success in fighting crime and homelessness in Huntington Beach.



Throughout his tenure, Michael personally argued some of the city’s most high-profile and politically sensitive cases, including litigation involving voter integrity laws, state housing mandates, and challenges to state policies. Michael aggressively fought Sacramento on behalf of the residents he represents, reflecting his ability to lead from the front and his reputation as a fighter for the people.

In 2025, Michael was appointed Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, where he oversaw approximately 100 attorneys across Employment, Voting and Elections, Housing and Civil Enforcement, and Criminal sections. Over his career, he has practiced across a broad range of legal disciplines, consistently demonstrating a commitment to public safety, the rule of law, and effective government.



Michael and his wife live in Huntington Beach, where they spend what little free time they have enjoying California’s pristine coastline.