Gov. Gavin Newsom’s choice to lead the state’s law enforcement agency is turning heads, as East Bay State Assemblyman Rob Bonta brings his progressive perspective to the role.
Bonta, who will be the state’s second Asian attorney general and first statewide Filipino officer, was nominated for the post during a wave of violent crimes against Asian Americans in the Bay Area and nationwide.
"I think in an era in which Asian Americans are facing increased hate and racial discrimination, (there’s) a lot of concern over that," said Carla Marinucci, POLITICO reporter and author of the California Playbook. "This was more than just a statement."
At the time of his election to statewide office, Bonta was the first Filipino American in the California State Legislature.
"(He) has been a progressive icon in some ways for his fight over criminal justice issues such as…getting rid of cash bail and police and criminal justice reform."
The Democrat’s roots trace back to the Philippines where he was born. He moved to the United States, where his family lived in a trailer near a United Farm Workers site in the Central Valley at one point.
Much of that experience, Bonta said Wednesday, helped shape his desire to enter the law. He talked about working hand-in-hand with law enforcement on both police and criminal justice reform. "That’s where progressives are so happy that Rob Bonta was the choice," Marinucci said.
Bonta replaces the former California Attorney general, Xavier Becerra, who was recently confirmed as President Biden’s Secretary of Health and Human Services. Becerra himself sued the Trump administration over 100 times, but his successor won’t have the same relationship with the federal government under the left-leaning Biden administration.
Bonta may face opposition when he’s up for reelection from Republicans and even moderates who say he’s too progressive on criminal justice issues.
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