California governor: Attorney General Rob Bonta reportedly reconsidering run for position after Gavin Newsom terms out

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — California Attorney General Rob Bonta is reportedly exploring a run for California governor, after previously saying he would not be going for the job.

According to POLITICO, Bonta is “strongly considering” joining the already-crowded race of candidates vying to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom once his term ends.

When reporters asked the attorney general about his considerations on Monday, Bonta said, “I have nothing to announce today.”

“I’m grateful for the very robust and strong encouragement I’m getting from many across California to consider enter the race,” he said at a San Francisco press conference. “But as of today, I have not entered the race.”

It’s a shift from public remarks he made at the end of October.

“I am staying out of the governor’s race,” Bonta told reporters in Sacramento on October 28. “I am honored, grateful. It’s a privilege to serve as AG any time – and particularly in these times. This is the most important moment and the most important job I’ve ever had. I want to give everything I have to it. My time, my attention, my passion, my energy, my focus.”

Political consultant Jim Ross said it’s difficult to know for certain if Bonta is serious about entering the race.

“He’s been calling around, kind of checking temperature and what people think and and getting ideas is what I hear. But, you know, nothing concrete,” Ross said. “At this point, anybody could win this race.”

A new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California shows more than a third of likely voters are either “very closely” or “fairly closely” following news about the Governor’s race. The same survey also found former Rep. Katie Porter leads Democrats with 21% support, followed by former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra at 14% The poll was conducted early November, before billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer and Rep. Eric Swalwell announced their candidacies.