Xavier Becerra Enters Crowded California Governor Race

Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and California Attorney General, has announced his candidacy for governor of California, highlighting his commitment to tackling the state's affordability crisis and restoring the 'California Dream.' Becerra emphasized his experience in fighting the Trump administration and managing crises like the COVID-19 pandemic as key qualifications for the role. The race to succeed term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom is crowded with several Democratic candidates, but could be significantly influenced if Vice President Kamala Harris decides to run. Becerra's campaign focuses on his personal narrative as the son of immigrants and his record in government, aiming to address high housing costs and economic issues facing Californians. The primary is scheduled for June 2, 2026, and Democrats are expected to retain the governorship in this heavily Democratic state.