Xavier Becerra, a Democrat running for California governor, is counting on his decades-long public career to propel him into the state's highest office, but that extensive political resume has also given his critics ammunition to question his competence as the primary election draws near.
A Career in Public Service
Becerra has spent more than 35 years in public office, including a leadership role in the U.S. House, serving as California's attorney general, and acting as former President Joe Biden's health secretary. He has repeatedly stated, "The governor's office is not a place with training wheels."
This message initially failed to resonate with voters during the first year of his campaign. However, with voting underway ahead of the June 2 primary, Becerra appears to be gaining momentum following Democrat Eric Swalwell's exit from the race. He has since secured endorsements from influential labor groups and Latino state leaders, and his previously weak fundraising has surged. He has become the primary target of attacks during debates, indicating that his Democratic rivals view him as the candidate with momentum.
Some observers suggest that Democrats are gravitating toward Becerra as a perceived safe choice. "He has this breadth of experience that none of the other candidates have," said Matt Barreto, faculty director of the University of California, Los Angeles, Voting Rights Project, which Becerra partnered with in a recent lawsuit. "What that means is that he has the ability to portray himself to the voters as having been through the fight."
Criticism and Controversy
However, some Biden administration alumni have questioned Becerra's record as health and human services secretary. His rivals have highlighted the federal indictment of Becerra's former chief of staff, who pleaded guilty to stealing campaign funds. Although Becerra has not been implicated, Democrat Katie Porter recently called him "too much of a risk." Becerra has dismissed such criticism as campaign mudslinging. "We are going to talk about the truth and we are going to move forward," he told reporters this week.
Campaign Promises
Becerra points to his tenure as California's attorney general during President Donald Trump's first term, positioning himself as an experienced fighter against a formidable federal government. He was central to the state's emergence as the so-called resistance, filing over 120 legal actions on issues ranging from immigration to climate policy.
Several voters at a recent Becerra rally in Sacramento cited his roles across various levels of government as reasons for their support. Ruben Hoyos, who voted for Becerra despite aligning more with billionaire Tom Steyer's progressive platform, said Becerra "knows how to navigate through the complexities of running a government."
Like his rivals, Becerra has made affordability a central pillar of his platform. He has pledged to declare a state of emergency to address the high cost of living and housing shortages. He argues that this would allow him to freeze home insurance rates as Californians struggle to obtain or afford coverage amid worsening wildfires. Most candidates for insurance commissioner contend that a governor cannot legally do this because the insurance industry is regulated by an elected commissioner, but Becerra insists he would have that authority. "I would be willing to go to court to tell you that I could call that freeze," he said in a recent debate.
In Congress, Becerra helped pass the Affordable Care Act and defended it against Republican attacks as California's attorney general. He is also known for championing abortion rights and has the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. However, after previously supporting eliminating private health insurance in favor of a government-run system, he has appeared to shift his position. When pressed by rivals for a clear stance, he said he is focused on getting more people covered. "Californians do not care what you call it, so long as they have affordable health care," he stated.
Health Secretary Record Under Scrutiny
Becerra's tenure as federal health secretary has been closely examined. Steyer has repeatedly criticized Becerra over his handling of the influx of unaccompanied migrant children who arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2021, most fleeing violence, poverty, or natural disasters in Central America. The children were processed in tents before being taken to emergency shelters run by the Department of Health and Human Services, some of which were criticized by child welfare advocates for inadequate conditions. They were then placed with family members, relatives, or sponsors. A 2023 New York Times investigation found that the health department failed to thoroughly vet sponsors, and many children ended up working exploitative jobs. It also found that Becerra pushed to move children through the system faster and that the agency could not reach tens of thousands of minors after they left federal care. Steyer has argued that the federal government "lost" children on Becerra's watch. Historically, the federal government has not tracked unaccompanied children once they are released to the care of an adult.
Becerra has called the criticism "Trump talking points." Some California immigrant rights groups and members of the Biden administration have defended his record. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Becerra was largely out of the spotlight, with others like Dr. Anthony Fauci acting as the face of the administration. Xochitl Hinojosa, a former spokesperson in Biden's Department of Justice, said on CNN earlier this month that she did not have faith in Becerra's leadership abilities. "He was not effective in government," she said.
Outreach to Latinos
The race to replace term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom has been unsettled, with top state Democrats urging lower-polling candidates to drop out. That initially included Becerra. But after Swalwell's scandal, Becerra's campaign has highlighted his understated demeanor to appeal to voters seeking a drama-free choice. He embraced TikTok early, focusing on Spanish-speaking voters. When Becerra and other candidates of color were excluded from a planned debate due to low polling and fundraising, Latino creator Jay Gonzalez invited them to speak to his followers. Becerra accepted, and Gonzalez has since been hired by the campaign. Other creators are encouraging their followers to back Becerra and appearing at his rallies. Some of Becerra's social media refers to him as "Tío Xavier," Spanish for "Uncle Xavier," portraying him as a familiar and trustworthy figure.
Working to mobilize Latinos, the largest ethnic group in California, could be a worthwhile strategy, said Kim Nalder, director of the Project for an Informed Electorate at California State University, Sacramento. Becerra, if elected, would be California's first Latino governor since the late 1800s. "There is some evidence that folks, if they have choices that are close like in a primary, will choose based on identity groups sometimes," she said.
