Tag

Xavier Becerra

All articles tagged with #xavier becerra

politics4 hours ago•7 min saved

Becerra's unlikely ascent shakes up California's governor race

Xavier Becerra jumped from a late entrant to the frontrunner in California's governor race after Eric Swalwell dropped out amid misconduct allegations, aided by a major ad buy and a calm, experience-focused message. A recent UC Berkeley/LA Times poll puts him at 25% with Hilton at 21% and Steyer at 19%, signaling a dramatic shift as the primary nears. His surge has been linked by some to an organic social-media push—though a Steyer-linked report cited a network of fake accounts amplifying Becerra online, which his campaign denies. Supporters emphasize his long government record and steadiness, while rivals contend the momentum could reverse.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california-governor-race #eric-swalwell #politics

california-politics6 hours ago•22 min saved

Xavier Becerra’s Patience-Paced Playbook Shapes California’s Governor Bid

A detailed profile of Xavier Becerra tracing his methodical, debate-first leadership style from a 1990s freshman challenging the Ways and Means chair to a gubernatorial frontrunner, highlighting his policy stances on immigration and health care, his tenure as California attorney general and HHS secretary, and the tensions with Pelosi and the White House that have shaped his career and current bid.

via Politico|

#california-politics #health-care-policy #immigration-reform

politics1 day ago•4 min saved

Becerra widens lead in final CA primary poll as Steyer and Hilton stay within reach

Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Xavier Becerra leads Emerson College Polling’s final California primary survey with 28% support, ahead of Tom Steyer at 22% and Steve Hilton at 21%; Republican Chad Bianco has 12%, while Democrats Katie Porter and Matt Mahan each have 5%. Becerra leads among Democrats (44%), Hispanics (36%), and women (36%), while Hilton dominates Republicans (59%). Steyer performs best among voters under 30 and white voters. The top-two vote-getters advance to November; the poll surveyed 1,000 likely voters May 27–28.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california-governors-race #emerson-college-polling #politics

politics3 days ago•8 min saved

Becerra Leads California Governor Primary as Hilton and Steyer Vie for Second

Berkeley IGS/LA Times poll shows Xavier Becerra leading California’s June 2 gubernatorial primary with 25% support, followed by Steve Hilton at 21% and Tom Steyer at 19%; turnout remains uncertain and the jungle primary keeps the top two finishers in play, with Hilton benefiting from Trump’s endorsement and Steyer leading in fundraising; the race remains wide open with implications for November and state policy debates such as healthcare funding, inflation, and voting rights.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california #gubernatorial-race #politics

politics3 days ago•17 min saved

Calif. Governor Race: Becerra and Hilton Lead in PPIC Poll

A PPIC poll ahead of California’s June 2 primary shows Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton leading the governor’s race, setting up a likely top-two showdown in November. Democrats hold a near two-to-one edge overall, with Becerra’s surge after Swalwell’s exit reshaping the field. The top-two primary system remains popular among voters, even as Democrats and Republicans debate potential reforms.

via CalMatters|

#california-elections #california-governor-2026 #election-2026

politics4 days ago•25 min saved

California’s governor race: record outside spending and powerhouse donors shaping the field

Outside money is shattering records in California’s 2026 governor race, with about $79 million spent by outside groups and Tom Steyer’s team contributing roughly $213 million to boost his bid. Becerra benefits from major corporate and union backers, while tech billionaires backed Mahan to push for efficiency with little tax pressure. Swalwell donors largely pivoted to Becerra, and donor activity remains high for Hilton and Porter, illustrating how big-money and well-connected networks are steering the primary.

via CalMatters|

#california-governor-2026-election #election-2026 #outside-money

politics4 days ago•2 min saved

Becerra tops CA governor poll as Hilton narrows gap ahead of primary

A PPIC poll ahead of California's June 2 primary shows Xavier Becerra at 23% and Steve Hilton at 20%, followed by Tom Steyer at 15%, Chad Bianco at 13%, and Katie Porter at 12%; no other candidates reach double digits. The top two vote-getters will advance to November, and while two Democrats could still win, current momentum favors Becerra and Hilton.

via ABC7 Los Angeles|

#california-governor-race #politics #ppic-poll

california-politics4 days ago•5 min saved

Becerra widens lead in CA governor primary as ballot battles loom

A new PPIC poll shows Xavier Becerra leading the California Democratic primary with 23% to Steve Hilton’s 20% and Tom Steyer’s 15%, signaling a likely nomination and a possible November matchup against Hilton. The survey also highlights two ballot fights: a proposed one-time wealth tax leading 54–45 but facing a well-funded opposition, and a Republican-backed voter ID measure that only 49% support, with Democrats and independents largely opposed. Neither measure is yet qualified for November, while 59% of Californians favor the state’s top-two primary, a factor that could influence the race’s dynamics even before the primary.

via Politico|

#2026-elections #california-governors-race #california-politics

california-politics16 days ago•10 min saved

Becerra Under Fire as CA Governor Debate Turns on Campaign Scandal

Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra faced a barrage of attacks at a contentious 90-minute California governor debate, amid his former campaign manager’s federal guilty plea, while Republicans coalesced behind Steve Hilton and Democrats remained divided between Becerra and Tom Steyer as they debated affordability, housing, climate and healthcare ahead of the June 2 primary.

via Los Angeles Times|

#affordability #california-governor-race #california-politics

politics17 days ago•10 min saved

Becerra’s front-runner halo dims under scrutiny in California race

Xavier Becerra’s rise as California’s Democratic front-runner has intensified focus on his communication weaknesses, muddled policy responses, and a corruption case involving aides; while he remains ahead in polls, rivals’ attacks and a surge of negative advertising test his steadiness and messaging ahead of the June primary, potentially shaping a tougher general-election fight against a GOP candidate.

via Politico|

#california-governor-race #corruption-scandal #gubernatorial-campaign

politics17 days ago•25 min saved

Becerra Under Fire as Rival Debate Attacks Ramp Up in California Governor Race

In the final California governor debate before the June primary, Democratic frontrunner Xavier Becerra faced a coordinated assault from six rivals over ethics, fundraising, and the Dana Williamson campaign-finance case, with Porter pressing for a concrete revenue plan. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan framed himself as a reformer and clashed with Republican Steve Hilton, who, along with fellow GOP candidate Chad Bianco, sought to consolidate the right’s path in blue California. The candidates also sparred over housing and tax credits, and debated AI regulation, with all but Hilton signaling support for tighter chatbot rules. The debate served as a last personal appeal to voters ahead of the primary.

via CalMatters|

#california-governor-race-2026 #katie-porter #matt-mahan

politics17 days ago•29 min saved

Ex-Newsom aide pleads guilty in Becerra campaign-finance scheme

Dana Williamson, Gov. Newsom’s former chief of staff and a longtime ally of Xavier Becerra, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, submitting a false tax return, and lying to federal investigators in a scheme that diverted about $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign account to a lobbyist; restitution totals $225,000 to Becerra and $500,000 to the IRS, with prosecutors seeking about 2.5 to 3 years in prison as co-defendants also pleaded guilty; the case looms over the governor’s race but no candidate running for governor is implicated.

via CalMatters|

#california-politics #campaign-finance #fraud

politics18 days ago•27 min saved

Becerra dodges questions while California's governor frontrunner solidifies lead

Democratic frontrunner Xavier Becerra has dodged detailed questions about his long record, including scrutiny over how he handled migrant children as HHS secretary and a New York Times investigation into labor exploitation. He dismisses attacks as MAGA talking points and pushed back on tough interview requests, while polls show him at or near the lead and fundraising has surged since Swalwell’s exit. Voters view him as a 'safe choice' in a crowded race, even as opponents highlight the Times report and a 2024 inspector general audit finding safety gaps. Becerra says he isn’t responsible for what happened after children left his agency’s care and that he’s moving forward, a strategy some analysts say benefits from his frontrunner status.

via CalMatters|

#california-governor-2026-election #katie-porter #migrant-children

california-politics18 days ago•4 min saved

Ex-Newsom aide pleads guilty in federal campaign-finance scheme

Gavin Newsom’s longtime chief of staff Dana Williamson pleaded guilty to three counts in a federal public-corruption case—campaign-finance fraud, lying to the FBI, and filing a false tax return—over an alleged scheme to siphon campaign funds from Xavier Becerra to his aide and conceal the payments from Becerra; the plea adds political baggage for Becerra in the California governor race, with co-conspirators having also taken plea deals and the case previously facing delays due to Williamson’s health issues.

via Politico|

#california #california-politics #campaign-finance

politics18 days ago•9 min saved

Becerra aide pleads guilty to campaign fund theft, roiling California governor race

Sean McCluskie, a longtime adviser to Xavier Becerra, pleaded guilty to stealing about $225,000 from one of Becerra’s dormant campaign accounts; prosecutors say the scheme involved other consultants and an FBI sting, while Becerra has not been charged. With his gubernatorial bid under scrutiny, rivals argue the case could jeopardize his campaign and potentially help Republican contenders.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california-governor-race #campaign-finance #fbi-investigation