Shasta GOP Candidate Breakfast Energizes Conservatives with Bold Vision for California’s Future
- Kari Chilson
- Jul 12
- 4 min read
REDDING, Calif. — On Saturday, July 11, 2025, the Shasta County Republican Central Committee hosted an inspiring Candidate Breakfast at the Win-River Event Center, bringing together local conservatives with three standout Republican nominees for statewide office: Michael E. Gates for Attorney General, Jennifer Hawks for State Treasurer, and Herb Morgan for State Controller.
The morning emphasized unity, bold conservative principles, and a shared commitment to restoring law and order, fiscal responsibility, and constitutional governance in California.
Michael Gates: “A Real Lawyer” Ready to Replace Rob Bonta
Michael Gates, former Huntington Beach City Attorney and a veteran trial lawyer, delivered a forceful critique of incumbent Attorney General Rob Bonta. Gates described Bonta as a career politician with “so much baggage,” responsible for California’s high crime rates, corruption, and lawlessness. He noted that under Bonta, California ranks 6th-highest in the nation for violent crime, in stark contrast to Huntington Beach — one of the safest large cities in the state — where Gates implemented proactive prosecution policies that drove crime down significantly.
Gates positioned himself as the opposite of Bonta: a practicing attorney who has tried major cases, defended law enforcement, and repeatedly sued the state of California to protect citizens’ rights. He vowed to restore California to a “law and order state.”
On election integrity, Gates was unequivocal. He pledged to defend every local election integrity measure, investigate irregularities (citing concerns in Los Angeles and Riverside counties), and ensure full compliance with both state and federal election laws. He highlighted his role as the architect of Huntington Beach’s voter ID law and criticized Bonta for actively suing to block such efforts.
Gates also emphasized constitutional principles, promising to:
Refuse to enforce unconstitutional laws (such as the Stop Nick Shirley Act, which he believes violates the First Amendment).
Unwind Second Amendment restrictions.
Protect parental rights and Title IX.
Enforce federal immigration laws and end sanctuary state policies.
Jennifer Hawks: Hands-On Fiscal Responsibility
Jennifer Hawks, a successful businesswoman with experience in banking, human resources, and managing multi-million dollar budgets, stressed the need for genuine accountability in the Treasurer’s office. She criticized the current leadership for treating the position as a figurehead and vowed to take a hands-on approach, including moving to Sacramento and personally auditing divisions.
Hawks focused on the massive budget and spending problems facing California. She argued the state doesn’t have a revenue problem — it has a spending problem — driven largely by unions and wasteful policies. She committed to responsible investment of state funds, rejecting politicized climate spending, and working closely with other Republican candidates on key oversight boards to make smarter financial decisions.
Herb Morgan: Radical Transparency and Sharp Criticism of Malia Cohen
Herb Morgan, a lifelong Californian with nearly 40 years in the investment industry, delivered one of the most pointed critiques of the current administration. He zeroed in on State Controller Malia Cohen, calling her uniquely unqualified for the powerful office that oversees state finances and issues the annual financial report.
Morgan highlighted Cohen’s record:
Delivered the state’s financial report 27 months late in her first year.
Has no background in finance, auditing, or running financial operations.
Engaged in controversial actions, including anti-police rhetoric in San Francisco, a trip to Venezuela to study socialism, and personal financial issues.
He described the California state government under such leadership as a “criminal operation,” citing $425 billion in waste, fraud, and abuse over five years, particularly in Medi-Cal and EDD programs.
Morgan’s signature proposal is “Radical Transparency” — posting every government transaction online in real time so citizens can see exactly how their money is spent immediately, which he said will save 80-100 billion dollars per year that's being siphoned off. He demonstrated a working prototype and outlined plans to immediately halt wasteful spending (such as high-speed rail), cut taxes, and dramatically reduce fraud through better oversight of NGOs and state agencies.
A United Slate Focused on Constitutional Government
All three candidates stressed the need for improved coordination and teamwork within the Republican slate this cycle. They painted a picture of California as a state suffering from lawlessness, unchecked spending, and erosion of constitutional rights. Each expressed optimism that 2026 presents a real opportunity for change, citing high levels of voter dissatisfaction with the state’s direction.
Audience Engagement and Shared Themes
Attendees asked pointed questions on election integrity, constitutional sheriffs, CCW rights, flock cameras, education funding, unions, NGOs, homelessness, and juvenile justice. The candidates responded with practical, principle-driven answers, stressing enforcement of existing laws, local control, parental rights, and accountability. Common themes included restoring law and order, ending fiscal waste, protecting constitutional rights, and rejecting Sacramento’s union-driven status quo.
A Call to Action for California Conservatives
The breakfast served as a powerful reminder that California is at a turning point. With strong, experienced candidates like Gates, Hawks, and Morgan running alongside Steve Hilton for Governor, Republicans see a genuine chance to bring common-sense solutions and balance back to state government.
The Shasta County Republican Party continues to mobilize supporters ahead of the Lincoln Reagan Dinner on July 31st, which will feature Steve Hilton.
Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, the message was clear: Now is the time for conservatives to engage. Statewide races require significant resources to reach millions of voters.
California’s comeback starts with informed voters and committed patriots. Events like this Shasta GOP breakfast demonstrate that the fight to Make California Golden Again is alive and well in Northern California.
