Newsom Names Rob Bonta As CA's First Filipino Attorney General

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Gov. Gavin Newsom nominated Alameda Assemblyman Rob Bonta to become California attorney general to fill the seat vacated by Xavier Becerra, Newsom announced at a news conference in San Francisco Wednesday.

If confirmed by the state Senate, Bonta would become the state's first Filipino American to hold the post. The seat is highly coveted and is only a notch below the governor in terms of power. Vice President Kamala Harris and former Gov. Jerry Brown previously served in the position.

The assemblyman has had a career in public service and is known for his stewardship of efforts to fight for social justice, officials said Wednesday.

"Growing up with parents steeped in social justice movements, Rob has become a national leader in the fight to repair our justice system and defend the rights of every Californian, " Newsom said in a statement Wednesday.

Bonta, the son of activists, was first elected to the California State Assembly in 2012 from the 18th District, representing Oakland, Alameda and San Leandro.

Newsom added: "Most importantly, at this moment when so many communities are under attack for who they are and who they love, Rob has fought to strengthen hate crime laws and protect our communities from the forces of hate."

Bonta's nomination comes at a time when the state and country is facing an uprising of crimes targeting Asian Americans, an issue the governor spoke out against last week.

"Throughout history, so many of us have felt the sting of hate and discrimination," Bonta said at a news conference. "I have."

A recent report released by Stop AAPI Hate recorded 3,795 incidents of harassment and assault against Asian Americans in the U.S. between Feb. 28 and March 19.

What's more, an analysis of police department statistics revealed that hate crimes targeting Asian Americans rose by almost 150 percent in 2020. The study was released by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino.

Bonta on Wednesday said he would make it his priority to "protect those that are facing the forces of hate."

The Bay Area politician said his mother, Cynthia Bonta, came to the Golden State in the 1960s after a three-week boat ride. His father, Warren Bonta, grew up in Ventura County and became an activist at an early age.

Warren Bonta would go on to join Martin Luther King Jr.'s civil rights organizing in Alabama to pass the Voting Rights Acts, the state said. Both parents worked as missionaries in the Philippines when Bonta was born.

After leaving the Philippines, the family moved into a trailer in La Paz in the Tehachapi Mountains outside Bakersfield, where his parents worked with Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and Philip Vera Cruz on civil rights issues. His father helped set up health clinics for Filipino and Latino farmworkers, while his mother worked at a day care that supported their families.

"My parents are my heroes and my role models," Bonta said. "They taught me to fight injustice. ... They are fierce forces for justice."

Bonta attended Yale Law School, where he met his wife, Mia Bonta. After graduating, the couple moved back to California, where Bonta went into private practice. He worked pro bono to represent Californians facing exploitation and racial profiling, the state said.

Years later, Bonta served for nine years as a deputy city attorney in the San Francisco City Attorney's Office before he ran for office in Alameda County.

"What a remarkable career Rob Bonta has had," Newsom said.

When asked about his views on law enforcement Wednesday, Bonta said, "Criminal justice reform is ripe for change that can be led by the attorney general's office."

State Sen. Josh Becker (D-Peninsula) praised Newsom for his nomination on Wednesday.

"In addition to his impressive cred as an attorney, a lawmaker and a civil rights activist, Assemblymember Bonta will become California’s first Filipino American AG," he wrote in a statement. "Thank you, Governor Newsom for meeting this crucial moment in our state and in our nation with your nomination of Rob Bonta today."

Once confirmed, Bonta will take office; he will have to run for reelection in 2022. Becerra left the attorney general's office to become secretary of health and human services in the administration of President Joe Biden.

The state listed Bonta's accomplishments in the Legislature as follows.

• Outlawed For-Profit Prisons In California

"Bonta authored legislation that made California the first in the nation to ban for-profit prisons and immigration detention centers."

• Led Major Sentencing Overhaul Effort

"Following statewide marijuana legalization, Bonta authored the California law to automatically expunge and modify criminal records for people convicted of minor marijuana charges."

• Took On Polluters

"Bonta authored major environmental justice legislation and has been a leader in the fight against climate change and to ensure every community equitably benefits from our green economy."

• Passed Nation’s Strongest Statewide Renter Protections

"Bonta led the fight to pass statewide protections for renters, ultimately resulting in the nation’s strongest protections against wrongful evictions."

• Fought To Strengthen Hate Crime Laws And Protect Communities

"Bonta has introduced a number of bills to improve hate crime statutes, support victims of hate violence, and build bridges between law enforcement and targeted communities."

• Protected Immigrant Families From Deceptive ICE Tactics

"Bonta authored first-of-its-kind legislation requiring immigrants to be informed of their rights before speaking to ICE agents."

• Sought To End Predatory Bail Laws

"Bonta co-wrote the law that sought to end the racist and predatory for-profit bail system."

• Required Independent Investigations Of Unarmed Deaths

"Bonta co-authored the law that required an independent investigation when there is a death of an unarmed civilian by law enforcement"