California State Senator Dave Cortese has announced his intention to run for the position of state attorney general, contingent on current Attorney General Rob Bonta deciding to enter the gubernatorial race. This move could significantly increase the chances of the next top state prosecutor hailing from Santa Clara County.
Cortese, who represents District 15 covering parts of San Jose, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and San Martin, brings extensive political experience to the table. He previously served as a member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors from 2009 to 2020 and held a position on the San Jose City Council from 2001 to 2008. After an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2014 against Sam Liccardo, now a congressman, he was elected to the state Senate in 2020. Cortese has two years remaining in his Senate term, and a successful attorney general campaign would trigger a special election to fill the final year of his term.
A top-ranking campaign organizer confirmed Cortese’s plans, emphasizing respect for Bonta’s decision-making process. Tom Clifford, Cortese’s political consultant, stated, “If he decides to step into the governor’s race, then Dave will run.” State political finance records indicate that Cortese has established a campaign committee for the 2026 election.
Cortese’s interest in the attorney general role aligns with speculation surrounding the candidacy of Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, who is also considering a run if Bonta steps aside. As an attorney, Cortese has forged strong relationships within labor organizations and has a track record of opposing federal policies from the Trump administration. His tenure includes chairing the California Senate Labor Committee and advocating for workers’ rights legislation in response to the tragic VTA rail yard shooting.
In 2017, Cortese played a key role in a groundbreaking lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provides protections for young migrants known as Dreamers. He has also championed significant gun-violence prevention initiatives, such as safe-storage laws, a 24/7 firearms relinquishment program, and gun buyback schemes. Furthermore, he has authored policies aimed at preventing the incarceration of children under 13 years old.
Both Cortese and Rosen could approach the attorney general race from distinct perspectives, reflecting the broader statewide debate on electing reform-oriented versus tough-on-crime prosecutors. In recent years, Rosen has taken nuanced stances on criminal justice issues in Silicon Valley, notably abstaining from endorsing Proposition 36 in 2024, which sought to increase penalties for petty theft. He has also gained attention for advocating changes to the death penalty, proposing to overturn and resentence more than a dozen death sentences in county courts.
Cortese similarly declined to endorse Proposition 36, earning recognition for his contributions to justice reform, including the California Judges Association’s Scales of Justice Award that year.
As both candidates prepare for a potential contest, the landscape of California’s political and legal systems could see a considerable shift, particularly with the dynamic developments surrounding the attorney general’s office. The decision from Rob Bonta will be pivotal in shaping the competitive landscape of the upcoming election.
