Gov. Gavin Newsom's pick for the state's vacated attorney general spot is ready to hit the ground running once he's confirmed by the legislature.
Assemblymember Rob Bonta said Friday he wants have an immediate impact in a number of key areas; the most timely and critical being the rise in statewide attacks against Asian Americans, something he didn’t mince words in describing.
"We’re reeling," Bonta said. "People are hurting, scared, anxious, angry and it’s a full-on state of emergency, state of crisis and important."
He’s also looking to help other underrepresented Californians.
"(I’ll be) making sure that vulnerable communities that are suffering from pollution being forced to drink dirty water or breathe dirty air are protected," Bonta said. "(I'll be) making sure that our criminal justice system is not treating folks unfairly."
Bonta called the governor's nomination of him to California Attorney General a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "I’m just completely humbled by the faith, trust and confidence he put in me," he said.
The governor picked the East Bay lawmaker to take the post on Wednesday, choosing him over rumored candidates like Los Angeles-area Rep. Adam Schiff. Once confirmed, Bonta will replace Xavier Becerra, who leaves the position to run President Joe Biden's Department Health and Human Services.
The 48-year-old Democrat has progressive credentials and backing, but will be working with local-level district attorneys from across the Golden State who may not share his left-leaning views.
He told KCBS Radio he's ready to be collaborative.
"We have 58 counties, we have just as many district attorneys," Bonta said. "They’re coming from different backgrounds and have different approaches. I plan to work with every single one of them."
Once confirmed, Bonta would be the first Filipino American attorney general in the state's history and the second Asian American attorney general, behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
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