Whether it’s intentional, whether it’s incompetence, whether it’s an oversight, we choose not to speculate on that at this point,” California’s attorney general said.

Bonta's decision could help clear the field for other potential candidates, including former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Rob Bonta, the state’s Democratic Attorney General, was expected to vie to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom as governor in 2026. Bonta said Wednesday he’ll run for reelection instead.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has decided not to run for governor in 2026 and instead plans to run for reelection as Attorney General for the next 6 years.