With California’s June primary nearing, voters will soon decide which two gubernatorial candidates will face off in November’s general election.
Here’s a clear, factual look at who Xavier Becerra is, what he stands for, and how his record compares — designed to help readers make informed decisions.
Who is Xavier Becerra?
Becerra is an attorney who most recently served as the 25th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services and is running for California governor on a platform focused on building the state’s economy, defending its communities, and protecting rights and freedoms.
Background and career
Why Xavier Becerra is running
On his campaign website, Becerra says he is running for governor to “fight to make it possible for all of us to have the California Dream.” He argues that the cost of everyday life in California has gotten too expensive. Becerra said in a Facebook video that his main mission as governor of California will be to lower the cost of everything from health care to housing to childcare to utilities.
“California is at a crossroads. From housing to healthcare, childcare to college, working families are facing an affordability crisis,” Becerra said when he announced his plans to run for governor, the Contra Costa News reported in April 2025. “The California Dream is slipping away. I’m running for Governor to fight for that dream, to build a stronger, affordable California for everyone, and to take on bullies who get in our way.”
Key policy positions
Economy and cost of living
Housing and homelessness
Public safety and crime
Climate, water and energy
Immigration and border issues
Education
Record in office
Election and campaign history
What critics say
Critics of Becerra have said he was too low‑profile during major crises, such as the COVID‑19 pandemic and the monkeypox outbreak, while he was U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.
In 2017, Becerra, as the state’s attorney general, filed charges stemming from an undercover investigation of Planned Parenthood, prompting the Los Angeles Times editorial board to call the ordeal a “disturbing overreach.”
What supporters say
Becerra’s supporters argue his decades-long record of public service makes him the most qualified candidate to lead the state. Supporters also see him as a governor who could stand up to the President, given his track record of challenging the Trump administration as attorney general.
What’s next in the race
Sources and reporting notes
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Who is Xavier Becerra? What to know about the California governor candidate
Reporting by Daniella Segura, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
