Secretary Xavier Becerra at the announcement of a $500 million investment in health care Navigators at Adelante Healthcare in Goodyear on June 7, 2024.
Sacramento, California – Xavier Becerra, the former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and California attorney general, has officially entered the race to become the state’s next governor. Becerra announced his candidacy in a video released Wednesday, emphasizing his working-class roots and experience in public service.
“I watched my parents—a construction worker and a clerical worker—achieve the California dream,” Becerra said. “Can we do that today, with this affordability crisis? Very tough. But we’ve taken on these tough fights … We can do that, but you need a leader who can be tough.”
His announcement intensifies an already competitive Democratic primary field, as potential candidates and major donors await a decision from Vice President Kamala Harris on whether she will enter the race. Despite speculation, Becerra’s campaign insists he will remain in the race even if Harris declares her candidacy.
Becerra, 67, is presenting himself as an experienced leader rather than aligning strictly with progressive or centrist factions. He aims to highlight his leadership at the state and federal levels, particularly his tenure as California attorney general, where he became a central figure in opposing the policies of former President Donald Trump. During that time, he initiated over 120 lawsuits against the Trump administration.
His campaign launch coincides with recent upheaval at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where mass firings have drawn criticism. Becerra, who led the department under President Joe Biden, has spoken out against the restructuring, calling it a “manmade disaster.”
While his leadership at HHS is a focal point of his campaign, his tenure was not without controversy. He faced criticism for the administration’s handling of migrant child shelters and had limited influence in shaping COVID-19 policy. However, he was recognized for strengthening the Affordable Care Act and championing reproductive rights. Reports suggest there was little expectation that Biden would have retained Becerra in his Cabinet had he secured a second term.
Before his federal appointment, Becerra spent more than three decades in California politics. He served in the state legislature, represented Los Angeles in Congress, and held leadership roles such as Democratic Caucus Chair. In 2017, he was appointed attorney general by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, filling the vacancy left by Kamala Harris when she won her Senate seat.
Despite his extensive career, Becerra is not widely recognized among California voters. Polls place him in the single digits, but his strong showing in past statewide elections suggests he has the potential to build name recognition. In 2018, he won nearly 7.8 million votes in his attorney general race—more than Gavin Newsom secured in his gubernatorial bid that same year.
Becerra’s candidacy also holds historical significance, as he seeks to become California’s first Latino governor in 150 years. However, he faces competition from other Latino candidates, including former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state schools chief Tony Thurmond, potentially dividing the Latino vote.
The dynamic between Becerra and Villaraigosa is particularly noteworthy, given their overlapping political trajectories. Both hail from Los Angeles, a region that has historically struggled to produce successful statewide candidates. They previously faced off in the 2001 Los Angeles mayoral race, where Villaraigosa advanced to the runoff while Becerra was eliminated early.
Becerra’s campaign team includes seasoned Democratic strategists, fundraisers, and media consultants, positioning him as a formidable contender in what is expected to be a highly competitive race. With Harris’s decision still pending, the field remains fluid, but Becerra’s entry adds a new dimension to California’s political landscape.
