Xavier Becerra, a former Cabinet secretary in President Biden’s administration, seems to be surging in the wildly unsettled California governor’s race.
Until not too long ago, the former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary had been mired in the single digits in polling to switch termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom and lead the nation’s most populous state.
But after former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) dropped out of the race earlier this month amid accusations of sexual assault and different misconduct, Becerra has seen a lift in polls, fundraising and endorsements.
On Tuesday, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas endorsed Becerra alongside 14 Democratic members of the legislative physique.
Arguing that Californians are beneath fixed menace from President Trump’s insurance policies, Rivas cited Becerra’s decades-long document in public workplace, together with defending Obamacare and younger immigrants, or “Dreamers,” to argue that Becerra is finest positioned to steer the state.
Read extra: Governor’s race wildly unpredictable two weeks before Californians receive ballots
“There’s no time to learn on the job — we need a governor who’s ready to fight back on day one,” Rivas mentioned in a press release, noting that Becerra sued the Trump administration 122 instances whereas he was California’s legal professional basic. “We have a strong Democratic field for governor. But right now, we need someone ready on day one. Xavier Becerra is that leader.”
Becerra mentioned he was honored to obtain the legislators’ backing.
“I look forward to working with the Speaker and legislators on Day One to tackle the problems Californians care about most — from the skyrocketing cost of groceries and housing to our unyielding fight against the Trump Administration’s disastrous policies,” he mentioned in a ready assertion. “Californians need an experienced and trusted leader who doesn’t need on-the-job training.”
The endorsements come at a essential second in the governor’s race — simply two weeks earlier than ballots start arriving in Californians’ mailboxes. In addition to Swalwell dropping out, former state Controller Betty Yee ended her bid on Monday due to a scarcity of assets. On Tuesday, Yee endorsed hedge fund founder turned environmental warrior Tom Steyer.
She mentioned in a video that she was backing Steyer due to his “standing up our democracy and getting young people involved, certainly with respect to our climate and the climate crisis we’re facing.”
Becerra and Steyer at the moment are the Democratic front-runners in the race.
Despite Becerra’s lengthy tenure in state and federal workplace, the unflashy politician shouldn’t be well-known amongst California voters. He was amongst the underdogs in the 2026 gubernatorial race. Swalwell, against this, was amongst the main Democratic candidates.
Amy Thoma, a former Republican strategist who’s not affiliated with a political occasion, famous that Becerra’s surge comes at a essential second in the election, shortly earlier than ballots land in Californians’ mailboxes.
“Voters are starting to tune into the race. Yes, they want someone who will stand up to Trump, but it also seems they want someone with experience who can address the very real issues facing the state,” Thoma mentioned.
She added that Becerra’s life story is “incredibly compelling.”
“The word authentic is overused, but every time he talks about his love for this state, for his family and wanting to make California work for everyone, it comes across incredibly sincere,” Thoma mentioned. “Voters can see through candidates who fake it.”
Becerra was revered by colleagues throughout the aisle, together with former GOP legislative chief and state Republican occasion chairman Jim Brulte. Both males have been elected to the state Assembly in 1990 and although their politics usually sharply differed. However, that they had a heat relationship.
“He was progressive and I am a conservative,” Brulte mentioned. “We never agreed much on policy, but he is a good man with a great heart.”
Read extra: Former state Controller Betty Yee drops out of the governor’s race
The 2026 governor’s race has been in contrast to any in latest reminiscence, with no clear front-runner in a crowded subject of candidates and voters simply starting to concentrate to the contest shortly earlier than the June 2 major.
There have been two outstanding Republicans and eight outstanding Democrats in the race, resulting in fears amongst Democratic leaders in the state that their occasion’s candidates may very well be shut out in the basic election due to California’s distinctive major system. The two candidates who win the most votes in the June 2 major will transfer on to the November basic election, no matter occasion affiliation.
Democratic leaders stay involved that regardless of California’s sapphire-blue tilt, the variety of their occasion’s candidates in the race may result in a splintering of Democratic voters that outcomes in two Republicans advancing to the November poll.
Six outstanding Democrats stay in the race, after Swalwell and Yee dropped out.
The race — missing a world famous person resembling Arnold Schwarzenegger or the scion of a storied political household and former governor like Jerry Brown — is ephemeral. Anything can occur earlier than the June 2 major.
But Becerra is having a second. In addition to the new endorsements, he has seen notable movement in polls, most not too long ago in a survey launched Monday by the state Democratic Party. Becerra jumped 9 factors from the occasion’s final ballot, tying Steyer at 13%.
While Becerra won’t ever be capable of match Steyer’s deep pockets, he raised greater than $1 million on ActBlue, the prime Democratic fundraising platform, in the week ending Saturday, making him the largest fundraiser on the web site in the nation.
“Ninety-seven percent were first-time donors,” Becerra’s marketing campaign mentioned in a press release. “This is not a donor base being recycled. It is a movement being born.”
Times employees author Nicole Nixon contributed to this report from Sacramento.
This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Times.
