California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a two-time TOFA honoree, has advanced in California’s primary election, moving one step closer to securing a second full term as the state’s top law enforcement official.
Bonta, the first Filipino American to serve as California attorney general, finished among the top vote-getters in the state’s top-two primary and will appear on the November ballot. The result cements his standing as one of the most visible Filipino American officials in the United States and a leading figure in California politics.
Bonta was first honored by The Outstanding Filipino Awards (TOFA) in 2017 at Carnegie Hall in New York during TOFA’s seventh awards gala, recognizing his trailblazing role as California’s first Filipino American legislator. He was honored again in 2020 as one of the TOFA100 most influential Filipino Americans during the virtual 10th anniversary celebration at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a Facebook post at the time, Bonta thanked TOFA and called it “the privilege of a lifetime” to serve his community as the state’s first Filipino American legislator.
Over the years, Bonta has remained a steadfast supporter of TOFA. He has twice served as keynote speaker and guest of honor at TOFA events in New York and Los Angeles, and he also participated in TOFA’s public service video campaign against anti-Asian hate, lending his voice and platform to the effort to protect Asian American communities.
As attorney general, Bonta has been known for his progressive record, including efforts to defend reproductive rights, enforce environmental protections and challenge rollbacks of civil rights policies at the federal level. He has also positioned himself as a vocal critic of policies associated with the Trump administration, emphasizing California’s role as a legal counterweight on issues such as immigration, voting rights and consumer protection.
Born in the Philippines and raised in a family of activists, Bonta has often spoken about how his upbringing shaped his commitment to social justice and public service. His family’s story — from organizing farmworkers to advocating for human rights — has informed his approach to public office and his connection to the broader Filipino American community.
Bonta’s primary victory underscores the growing influence of Filipino Americans in California politics and highlights the ongoing impact of TOFA honorees beyond the awards stage. For many in the Fil-Am community, his continued rise represents both a source of pride and a reminder of the power of representation in the state’s highest offices.
