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Democratic California Assemblymember Rob Bonta has been nominated by Gov. Gavin Newsom to be the state's next attorney general. The vacancy is due to Xavier Becerra previously being chosen by President Biden to become secretary of Health and Human Services.
Newsom held a press conference where he officially announced the nomination. He praised Bonta's career and qualifications. Bonta has chaired the California Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus in the Assembly and was the first Filipino American in the state Legislature. He previously served as a deputy city attorney in San Francisco and was on the Alameda City Council.
As CA's first Filipino Attorney General, @RobBontaCA will fight to reform our justice system & stand up to hate. He has led efforts to end cash bail, ban for-profit prisons, renter protections, and hate crime protections. He will be a staunch advocate for CA values. pic.twitter.com/Z5UYGo34P6
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) March 24, 2021
Activism organization Californians for Safety and Justice issued a statement in support of the nomination.
There have been allegations against Bonta that he was among others who "used power in an attempt to gain sexual advantage over young women." Trisha Tahmasbi reiterated her allegations against Bonta following the announcement, alleging that he "used his position of power to intimidate me from reporting years of sex abuse, threats & misconduct perpetrated by his friend, Alberto Torrico."
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