California Governor Race: Xavier Becerra Throws His Hat in the Ring
Former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, has announced his bid for the California governor seat. Becerra, who previously served in the Long Beach Public Health Department and as a key figure in the fight against President Donald Trump, shared his decision to enter the race citing his extensive experience in disaster management as pivotal for the state’s future leadership.
Becerra emphasized the urgent need for strong leadership in the face of ongoing natural and man-made crises, pointing to his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his commitment to addressing issues such as federal budget cuts and environmental protection. He highlighted the importance of restoring essential services and creating a welcoming environment for businesses and wildfire-affected communities.
The upcoming election is anticipated to draw attention from former Vice President Kamala Harris, whose potential candidacy could reshape the field due to her national prominence and fundraising capabilities. Despite the competition, Becerra expressed confidence in his qualifications and track record, underscoring his dedication to providing voters with a meaningful choice.
Joining a diverse group of Democratic contenders, including Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Becerra aims to secure a foothold in a race where Latino representation is expected to play a significant role. With his decades-long career in public service and a strong belief in his ability to lead, Becerra looks ahead to the upcoming election with determination and a commitment to serving the people of California.
Nancy Pelosi, representing San Francisco, was nominated in 2016 by then-Gov. Jerry Brown for the position of California’s attorney general, a role often seen as a stepping stone to higher political offices. This nomination came after Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate. During Pelosi’s time as the state’s chief prosecutor, she initiated over 120 lawsuits against President Trump in his first term. The upcoming governor’s race in California is expected to heavily focus on Trump, with the state anticipated to play a significant role in opposing the Trump administration once again.
Pelosi, confident in her ability to confront challenges, stated, “I’ve seen this scenario before, and we are prepared to tackle it.” As the first Health and Human Services secretary to visit a Planned Parenthood clinic, she emphasized her resistance to the Trump administration’s policies on reproductive care during her tenure in the Cabinet. Notably, Pelosi highlighted the Biden administration’s efforts to safeguard access to mifepristone by appealing to the Supreme Court.
Assuming office in March 2021 to oversee the vast Health and Human Services organization of 95,000 employees during the peak of the COVID crisis, Pelosi cited the successful distribution of 700 million COVID vaccines as a significant achievement. She also pointed out the launch of the 988 hotline for suicide and crisis counseling, as well as expanding healthcare access to over 300 million individuals. The Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, enabled 46 million Americans to acquire health insurance coverage, a feat Pelosi applauded.
Despite her accomplishments, Pelosi faced criticism as secretary, particularly concerning her management of the monkeypox outbreak. Reports from sources like the New York Times and Washington Post suggested that some Biden administration officials believed she lacked urgency and tried to shift responsibility onto states. Pelosi defended her actions, asserting that her department promptly distributed monkeypox vaccines nationwide, leaving final decisions to state and local authorities.
“We ensured the vaccines reached the states and local jurisdictions, although we couldn’t dictate their distribution,” Pelosi explained. For in-depth coverage of legislative, political, and policy developments from Sacramento, Washington, and beyond, subscribe to the L.A. Times Politics newsletter, delivering comprehensive insights twice a week.
