Xavier Becerra, who served as the U.S. Health secretary during the Biden administration, has jumped into the race for California governor.
Becerra, 67, has a long resume in California politics, including serving in the statehouse, as California’s attorney general and as a longtime member of Congress.
In his announcement on Wednesday, April 2, Becerra highlighted his past work and pointed to affordability issues in California, saying it is “very tough” for someone to achieve the “California dream” today.
“But we’ve taken on these tough fights. California has succeeded in these tough fights and become the economic engine of this country,” Becerra said in an announcement video. “We can do that, but you need a leader who can be tough.”
A Stanford Law alumnus, Becerra was one of the more powerful Democrats in the House, where he represented L.A. area communities for more than two decades. He led the Democratic caucus and was the first Latino in House history to serve on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, according to congressional records.
He left Congress to serve as California’s attorney general, where he led the state in challenging the first Trump administration — on his campaign website, Becerra said he combated the administration’s “unlawful actions as they threatened our rights and freedoms.” During President Donald Trump’s first term in office, California sued the administration 123 times, according to a Calmatters analysis.
Becerra led the U.S. Health Department during the Biden administration and part of the COVID-19 pandemic. He supported federal vaccine mandates and negotiated lower drug prices for Medicare recipients. Becerra also supported greater access to mental health care, visiting Orange County’s Be Well campus during his tenure as part of a national tour to promote mental health services.
His appointment as health secretary, at the time, was derided by Republicans who criticized his lack of health care experience and support for pro-choice policies.
Becerra’s gubernatorial announcement comes as the Trump administration is behind mass layoffs throughout the country at public health agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services. Those cuts include doctors, researchers, scientists and more, according to The Associated Press.
Becerra grew up in Sacramento with working-class parents. He studied economics at Stanford before returning to the university’s law school.
Becerra joins an already-crowded field of Democratic candidates for the 2026 gubernatorial race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is prevented from running again because of term limits.
That includes state Sen. Toni Atkins, businessman Stephen Cloobeck, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former Rep. Katie Porter, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former state controller Betty Yee.
On the Republican side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is also running for governor.
Becerra has faced a crowded field of contenders before. When he first ran for Congress, to replace longtime Rep. Edward Roybal, who was retiring, nearly a dozen Democrats jumped into the race right away.
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