SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On Friday, Democrat Xavier Becerra secured his spot in the upcoming general election for California governor, presenting himself as a seasoned leader ready to follow in the footsteps of outgoing Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom in the country’s most populous state.
Becerra emphasized his extensive public service record, which spans over 35 years, including roles as California’s attorney general and the U.S. health secretary. His pitch focused on his qualifications amidst a diverse array of contenders vying for the governor’s seat.
“The citizens of California, part of the greatest nation in the world, have made their voices heard — clearly and emphatically,” Becerra declared in a statement. “We’re pressing forward without hesitation. November, here we come.”
There remains uncertainty about who will challenge Becerra in the general election. The competition narrows down to Steve Hilton, a Republican and former Fox News commentator with support from former President Donald Trump, and Tom Steyer, a Democratic billionaire and renowned climate activist who invested $215 million of his personal fortune into his campaign.
With roots in Sacramento, Becerra, the son of Mexican immigrants, is a family man with a wife and three daughters. He has drawn parallels between his family’s immigrant journey and his “underdog” campaign for governor, which initially struggled to gain traction before gaining momentum in recent months.
Becerra’s campaign gained a significant boost following the withdrawal of prominent Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell amid sexual assault allegations. This created an opportunity for Becerra to rally Democratic backing swiftly, securing endorsements from influential labor unions and Latino legislative figures.
Becerra has vowed to maintain the state’s mantle as a chief antagonist to President Donald Trump. As attorney general he filed more than 120 legal actions against the first Trump administration on everything from immigration to climate policy.
The president has also been in a spat with the state over its drawn-out vote count. Trump made baseless claims mass fraud Thursday, and on Friday federal prosecutors said they opened investigations into allegations of election fraud. Hilton called for California to limit mail ballots to those who request them, rather sending them to all registered voters.
During the campaign Becerra’s rivals scrutinized his leadership as health secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic and unaccompanied migrant children crisis in 2021, when Becerra’s Department of Health and Human Services was responsible for shelters where they were housed. Some of them were criticized as having inadequate living conditions, and there were also concerns about authorities failing to thoroughly vet sponsors with whom some children were placed.
If elected, Becerra said, he would declare states of emergency to address high energy costs and housing shortages and to freeze home insurance rates.
Though California is one of the nation’s most diverse states, almost all its governors have been white men. Becerra would be the first Latino to hold the office since the late 1800s.
Newsom was barred by term limits from seeking a third stint in office.
