Overview: Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has announced his bid to become California’s next governor, joining other Democratic candidates. Becerra, who previously served as California’s attorney general, has a strong track record of defending healthcare and reproductive rights, and addressing the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle these policies. He has also worked to increase vaccination access to underserved communities and declared a public health emergency in response to monkeypox outbreaks.
Breanna Reeves
Former U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra announced his bid to become California’s next governor on April 2, becoming the latest Democratic candidate to throw his hat in the ring.
As California grapples with an affordability crisis and faces battles ahead against the Trump administration, Becerra insisted that the state needs a leader who can be tough and take on tough fights.
“But we’ve taken on these tough fights. California has succeeded in those tough fights and become the economic engine of this country,” Becerra said in a video announcement of his bid via X. “But you need a leader who can be tough. And I’ve been in those tough fights…”
Prior to serving as the nation’s health secretary — the first Latino to do so, Becerra was the former California attorney general from 2017 to 2021. Becerra also served as a member of the House of Representatives where he represented downtown Los Angeles before he resigned to become attorney general.
As attorney general, Becerra played a vital role in Congress’ passage of the Affordable Care Act and defending it in court.
“The Trump Administration has made clear that it will not defend Americans’ healthcare and the law that tens of millions of Americans across the country depend on – so our fight continues,” then-Attorney General Becerra stated in a press release in 2019.
“We refuse to go back to the days when Americans with preexisting conditions, seniors, young adults, women, children and working families didn’t have access to quality, affordable healthcare. Our coalition stands strong to defend the ACA and healthcare every step of the way.”
Now, six years later, health care for millions of Americans are at risk as the House Republicans propose millions of dollars worth of cuts to Medicaid.
As attorney general, Becerra was also recognized for his firm stance on reproductive rights, immigration and environmental protections. During President Trump’s first term, Becerra sued his office numerous times over the course of Trump’s four years in office.
In December 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, President-elect Joe Biden chose Becerra to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. During his tenure, Becerra worked to ensure COVID-19 vaccinations were more accessible to underserved communities, specifically Latino and Spanish-speaking communities, who faced significant language and access barriers. Becerra also declared a public health emergency as monkeypox outbreaks spread across the nation, with the goal of increasing awareness and gathering funding to minimize the spread through vaccinations and treatment.
Becerra joins several candidates who are vying to become California’s next governor. He joins controversial Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a vocal Trump supporter and the only Republican candidate as of now; former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, running as a Democrat; former State Controller Betty Yee, a Democratic candidate; and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, among a few others.
Candidates will have until March 2026 to file their paperwork ahead of the June 2, 2026, primary, according to the California Secretary of State’s Office.