Gov. Gavin Newsom has chosen Assemblymember Rob Bonta to be attorney general of California, elevating the first Asian-American man to the position in state history.
Bonta, a Democrat from the Bay Area city of Alameda, has been seen as a central contender for the top prosecutor job from the moment President Joe Biden nominated former Attorney General Xavier Becerra to serve as health and human services secretary. Bonta came close to being appointed attorney general in 2016 but lost out to Becerra.
The position is arguably the state's second most powerful position and has been a reliable launching pad for politicians seeking higher office. The last three California attorneys general are Becerra, Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Jerry Brown. Other previous AGs include Gov. George Deukmejian, Gov. Pat Brown and Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, who also served as governor.