In the heated California gubernatorial race, the two leading Democratic candidates have clashed over their respective political advertisements, escalating tensions between them.
Billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer, who is striving to gain ground against Democratic frontrunner Xavier Becerra, has exchanged threats of legal action with his rival over campaign ads.
On Saturday, Steyer released an ad titled “Risky,” aiming to link Becerra to the criminal activities of two former key aides, insinuating potential legal troubles for him.
However, law enforcement authorities have stated that Becerra is considered a victim in the case.
The advertisement highlights a federal corruption investigation involving Becerra’s former campaign manager Dana Williamson and ex-chief of staff Sean McCluskie.
Prosecutors accused Williamson and McCluskie, together with lobbyist Greg Campbell, of embezzling $225,000 from a dormant campaign account belonging to Becerra. All three have pleaded guilty to various charges, including fraud-related crimes.
After highlighting those guilty pleas, the advertisement claims Becerra “knew and did nothing” and warns he “could be indicted next.”
The accusations prompted an immediate and aggressive response from the Becerra campaign.
In a cease-and-desist letter sent Saturday, attorney Nicholas Sanders of The Political Law Group argued the ad falsely attempts to tie Becerra to crimes committed by others and demanded that Steyer’s campaign pull the commercial from circulation.
Federal prosecutors have previously stated that Becerra was not implicated in the criminal charging documents tied to the case, according to Sanders. The attorney described the advertisement as “textbook defamation” and warned that legal action could follow if it remains on the air.
Here is the latest on the 2026 California governors race
“Someone should tell Tom that voters have a word for what he’s doing: it’s lying,” Becerra campaign spokesperson Jonathan Underland said. “And it’s not a quality Californians are looking for in their next governor.”
The campaign has not indicated whether it intends to formally file suit.
Steyer’s team, however, appeared more than willing to escalate the confrontation.
In a sharply worded reply, campaign attorney Ryan Hughes dismissed the allegations outright and effectively dared Becerra’s camp to follow through on its legal threat.
“By all means, proceed with legal action. It would make our day,” Hughes said in a letter. “We’ll make sure to do depositions of Mr. McCluskie, Ms. Williamson and Mr. Becerra on video. As you say, voters deserve to know the truth.”
Despite the legal threats, the advertisement remains in circulation as Steyer tries to claw his way into a top-two finish under California’s open primary system.
The spending behind the effort is relatively modest compared with Steyer’s broader campaign operation.
The billionaire has poured more than $200 million of his own fortune into advertising during the race, according to campaign finance records.
Recent polling suggests the Democratic showdown remains competitive.
An Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey released Saturday placed Becerra first with 28% support, followed by Steyer at 22%. Trump-endorsed-Republican Steve Hilton trailed closely behind at 21%.
Further back were Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 12%, while Democrats Katie Porter, Matt Mahan and Antonio Villaraigosa remained stuck in single digits.
