Xavier BecerraXavier Becerra

Former U.S. Health secretary and former state attorney general. Becerra represented Los Angeles in Congress for over two decades before serving as California's attorney general starting in 2017, where he led numerous lawsuits against the first Trump administration and Republican states. He served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under Biden, overseeing the COVID-19 vaccine rollout while facing criticism regarding migrant children's care. His campaign priorities include revising climate goals to maintain fuel affordability for middle-class Californians and declaring a state of emergency to freeze utility and insurance rates.

Key endorsements: California Faculty Association, Equality California, Planned Parenthood California.

My #1 priority is electing one of the Democratic candidates as neither Republican reflects my values. The many Democratic candidates run a risk of the primary resulting in only the two Republicans on the general election ballot. Write in ballots are not allowed in the general election! So, I am focused on those Democrats that I believe have a chance to win: Tom Steyer or Xavier Becerra. While later polls may change my mind, I think Porter and Mahan are out.

Starting with elimination: GOP Steve Hilton seeks to appeal by promising massive tax cuts paid for by cutting “waste and fraud.” It does not hold up. A PPIC survey finds Californians are concerned about the budget, feel their taxes are unfair and too high, and want to increase taxes on the wealthy. Californians spending priorities are health and human services (49%) and K–12 public education (37%); few say prisons (7%) or higher education (6%). While the State should always strive for efficiency and reducing fraud, Hilton’s plan is a gift to the rich and a hammer on the working class. Hilton wants to return to pre-pandemic (2020-21) General Fund spending—to do so, he would need to cut about $82 Billion (36%). Vast majority of General Fund is spent on K-12 schools, debt & pensions, and Medi-Cal; because schools, debt & pension spending is legally required, nearly all cuts would fall on Medi-Cal—directly contrary to what Californians want. Further, total Medi-Cal paid from General Fund in 2025 was $45 Billion—not enough even if totally abolished. (Note: CA cuts to Medi-Cal spending results in matching cut from Federal funds, thus doubling impact on needy Californians). On the tax side, Hilton’s proposed $100K exemption from income tax would reduce tax revenue by $12 to $15 Billion while giving the wealthy a 7.5% flat tax above $100K would reduce tax revenue by another $35 to $45 Billion. The math does not work. Moreover, he wants more spending on prisons, opposes Prop. 13 reform to tax business property, opposes gun controls, and sunsets all regulations. GOP Chad Bianco is an election-denier. ‘Nuff said.

Turning to Democrats: All are anti-Trump and promise to “fight” on Trump’s immigration overreach and attacks on California’s funding and environmental regulations. Both Steyer and Becerra focus on affordability, more housing, lower energy costs, and universal healthcare. However, Steyer provides actual plans to achieve these goals while Becerra just identifies them as priorities. https://www.tomsteyer.com/issues vs https://www.xavierbecerra2026.com/. Moreover, Steyer proposes corporate and wealthy tax increases to pay for it (including reforming Prop 13 to tax business property), while Becerra does not. Either will have trouble making the budget fit their goals, but Steyer does not dodge the need to raise revenue. A major differentiator is Steyer’s commitment to responding to climate change and detailed knowledge of a clean energy future.

Leaving aside policy emphasis, Steyer and Becerra present a choice. Steyer made a fortune in the private sector, turned to advancing public interests, founded NextGen Climate in 2013 to push action on climate, advocating for and financially supported four Propositions (pro Global Warming Solutions, close tax loophole, raise tobacco tax & Prop 50 to respond to Texas gerrymander). He is smart, not beholden to anyone, and committed to improving Californians’ lives—but has not served in government. Becerra has extensive government experience—in the House, as California AG, and Biden’s HHS Secretary. He has extensive healthcare experience, is a careful politician and a reliable Democrat.

My first pick is Tom Steyer. We need someone willing to problem-solve with new ideas and a sense of urgency. While he lacks government experience, he has private sector executive experience that will not accept business-as-usual. He has concrete ideas and is unafraid to take on special interests to benefit all Californians. My second pick would be Xavier Becerra. He is a good man who likely would make incremental progress in addressing California’s needs.

My full endorsement https://www.thedailyelm.com/p/who-am-i-endorsing-for-california?r=27qd2b

Co-endorsed with Tom Steyer

VIG listing; Occupation: Voting Rights Attorney

Progressive, will stand up to MAGA. Protector of Civil Rights, disabled people, our marginalized communities. Not a BILLIONAIRE, not perfect either. Established reform for 504s, ACA, women's Healthcare and more.

Honestly, this governor race has been an absolute mess... the two most "popular" and likely to win Democrat candidates are either a billionaire or someone bought out by billionaires (oil companies and more). I definitely don't want another Elon Musk situation, and I am a firm believer that billionaires should NOT be in office. They should be working for the PEOPLE. I do like that Tom Steyer wants to tax billionaires; however, I don't see how a one-time 5% tax on billionaires will chance shit in the long run. He's also been paying influencers to smear other candidates. He's a billionaire that can contribute to change now, but for some reason, needs to be a governor to do more? His wealth also has questionable origins - coal and private prisons??? So Tom Steyer is def a no go for me. Xavier Becerra is your standard democrat. He is, however, bought out by billionaires (took max money from Chevron lol). However, he's the most popular Democratic candidate right now and our best shot at winning the governor race. He doesn't condemn Israel though, in fact, I believe he reaffirmed US solidarity with Israel. But WE CANNOT AFFORD CALIFORNIA to have a RED governor!!! If it were up to me, I would probably pick Ramsey Robinson because of his working class politics (and pro-Palestinian stance). But if you don't want to "throw away your vote", I would go Xavier Becerra.

Xavier Becerra brings rare depth of experience to the top job — a Sacramento native who's served as California Attorney General, a U.S. House member, and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, where he helped lead the national COVID response and defended the Affordable Care Act.

He's running on competence and affordability — his closing message centers on steady, experienced crisis management, with a focus on the housing, healthcare, and childcare costs squeezing working families. As he puts it, "competence is cool."

The "career politician" knock is fair — and beside the point. Critics note he's spent decades in government rather than the private sector, and that's a legitimate preference to weigh. But in a turbulent moment, that same long record is exactly the experience navigating crises that the governor's office demands — and it's why he currently leads the primary field.

Tom Steyer is a billionaire, but he at least pays lip service to pro-labor policies that he can actually influence as governor.