California gubernatorial frontrunner Xavier Becerra added to his growing list of awkward media moments after struggling to answer a question about campaign donations and failing to correct the name of a Democratic ally during a painful interview with a San Francisco news outlet.
The Democrat, who holds a substantial lead over Republican challenger Steve Hilton, spoke with San Francisco Standard comedy correspondent Sophia Garrow about several important details of his campaign.
Garrow asked whether Becerra would refuse campaign money from any companies, referring to criticism that the former HHS secretary accepted large contributions from Big Oil and other special interests during the gubernatorial primary.
“Sure,” Becerra replied.
The answer was followed by a long, uncomfortable pause and a nervous laugh.
“Such as?” Garrow asked.
“Name some,” Becerra responded.
Becerra, a longtime California Democrat, said he would not take money from Palantir, which has reportedly supplied data analytics software and other technology to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He indicated, however, that he would accept contributions from defense contractor Lockheed Martin.
The discussion then turned to Purdue Pharma, with Becerra noting that he had sued the company as attorney general over allegations that it helped fuel the opioid crisis.
“But would you accept money from them?” Garrow pressed.
Becerra replied: “I mean if it’s a legitimate business and they’re doing business in a way that isn’t destroying lives —”
“But they sparked the opioid crisis,” Garrow pointed out.
“I mean, that’s why you go to jail, if you commit a crime, and you served your time, you get to come out. That doesn’t mean for the rest of your life,” Becerra later said. He added that he believed even companies that have done harm could find a path to “redemption.”
Becerra faced criticism from Democratic opponents during the primary for accepting sizable corporate donations, including a maximum contribution of $39,200 from Chevron.
Environmental activists were particularly unhappy when the former attorney general defended the contribution in April, saying Chevron was “not the bad guy.”
DON’T MISS: Does American Country Singer Brett Eldredge Have a Wife? Exploring His Relationship Status in 2026
The Standard also featured a screenshot of Becerra’s endorsement page, which listed San Francisco “Mayor David Lurie” among his supporters. The mayor’s first name is Daniel.
“What’s your relationship like with David?” Garrow asked.
“Growing,” Becerra said. “He’s done a number of important things, amazing things.”
Garrow continued, still referring to the mayor by the wrong name: “Do you think David’s been good for San Francisco?”
“I think San Franciscans would say, on the whole, he has,” Becerra replied, never correcting the mistake.
The Post viewed the endorsement page late Tuesday, which appears to have fixed the name.
Though the interview was meant to be a bit, many on social media found the clips hard to watch.
“Brutal watch,” one user commented.
“He doesn’t even know Mayor Daniel Lurie name… Hell NO! He won’t catch nothing,” another said.
In a similar interview with Hilton, The Standard’s Garrow roasted the Republican about his positions on ICE, transgender athletes, the cost of bananas and more.
Regardless, Becerra’s chances of winning the governor job look like a cakewalk.
About 58% of 4,512 likely voters surveyed from Sept. 15 to 20 said they supported Becerra, a former Health and Human Services secretary under former President Joe Biden, over the 33% who backed Hilton, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump.
The two candidates are scheduled to meet Wednesday in a nationally televised debate in Burbank hosted by CNN.
