Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is gaining momentum in the California gubernatorial race, positioning himself as a rising “dark horse” within the Democratic field.
After trailing in the lower ranks for much of the campaign, Becerra has recently seen a surge in support with just over 40 days remaining before the primary election. His rise follows the withdrawal of former U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations, which reshaped the dynamics of the race.
However, Becerra rejected the idea that his gains are merely the result of political fallout. “In the midst of political turmoil and unfortunate events, voters are beginning to look for someone they can trust,” Becerra said in an exclusive interview on April 18. “People trust experience, and I believe I am the one with the experience necessary to serve as governor.”
Despite Becerra’s rise, Republican candidate Steve Hilton continues to lead overall polling. Becerra attributed this to structural factors rather than a shift in voter preference. “Even combined, the two Republican candidates account for only about 30% of support,” he said. “With multiple Democratic candidates in the race, the vote is fragmented, and many voters remain undecided.” He added that the race will become clearer as voters begin to consolidate behind a single candidate.
Becerra offered a balanced evaluation of Governor Gavin Newsom’s tenure.
“California’s economy has grown from the fifth-largest in the world to the fourth-largest during his administration, which reflects strong economic activity and prosperity,” he said. “However, many families have not felt the benefits of that growth.” “The challenge now is ensuring that prosperity reaches every household,” he added.
Becerra identified the erosion of economic stability for working families as the most pressing issue facing California.
“Many families are striving for a better life, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult,” he said. “What they need is a modest amount of capital, support, and confidence that their efforts will pay off.” He warned that rising costs—including housing, healthcare, and childcare—have reached crisis levels. “The current situation is so severe that it warrants an emergency-level response,” Becerra said. “We need to signal clearly that we are ready to take a new approach.”
Becerra outlined a plan to implement immediate measures within his first 100 days in office.
He pledged to freeze home insurance premiums and public utility rates while accelerating housing development projects that are ready to begin construction. “About 40,000 units of low-income housing are prepared but delayed due to missing requirements,” he said. “With swift administrative action, we can move these projects forward and increase supply.”
Becerra emphasized that restoring public confidence in the future is key to California’s recovery.
“Ultimately, what matters is helping people regain trust in the future,” he said. “If we can rebuild that foundation, California can once again become a land of opportunity.”
