Xavier Becerra announces run for California governor: "The California Dream is slipping away"

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News

Updated on: April 2, 2025 / 11:27 AM EDT /


Another prominent Democrat has thrown his name into the 2026 race to succeed Gavin Newsom as California's governor. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra announced his candidacy on Wednesday. "California is at a crossroads. From housing to healthcare, childcare to college, working families are facing an affordability crisis. The California Dream is slipping away," Becerra said in a statement.

The 67-year-old is a born and raised Sacramento native who has served as attorney general for California and, most recently, as the nation's top health official in the Biden administration. Becerra becomes one of the more than a dozen candidates who have officially declared a run for California's governorship in 2026.

Notable Democrats who have already declared they're running include former state Sen. Toni Atkins, current Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former U.S. House Rep. Katie Porter, current state Superintendent Tony Thurmond, former LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and California Democratic Party vice chair Betty Yee.

Only a handful of Republicans have announced they will be running for California governor, including Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. Former Vice President and 2024 Democratic nominee Kamala Harris' name has also surfaced as a possible gubernatorial candidate. While a recent poll has shown she would enjoy wide support, Harris has not announced if she will enter the race.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/xavier-becerra-2026-california-governor-race-annoucement/

[dutch777]

1. That sounds like a good start on a platform given what the grass roots are saying at town halls.

It will be interesting to see if CA big tech throws in with the Repugs and then how that all comes out.