# Xavier Becerra *candidate · Governor · Democratic* — November 3, 2026 General Election (2026-11-03), Los Angeles County, California Research pack generated 2026-10-30T23:52:30+00:00 by ballotscope. Summaries are LLM-generated from the linked originals and may contain errors; check the originals before relying on anything. Sources span 2017-09-05 to 2026-10-07. ## Overview (as of 2026-10-29, from 25 sources) Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, served two decades in Congress, was California attorney general from 2017 to 2021, and was U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary from 2021 to 2025 [Xavier Becerra gives first TV interview of California governor campaign; Governor of California]. His campaign rests on that record: more than 120 lawsuits against the first Trump administration and, it says, coverage expanded to more than 24 million Americans [Xavier's Priorities; A fight to reclaim the California Dream]. He placed first in the June 2026 primary with 28% to Steve Hilton's 25% [California Governor - November 2026 Election]. His platform includes a housing and rate emergency, funding 40,000 approved affordable units, a progressive income tax, opposition to the Prop 40 billionaire tax, keeping state coverage for immigrants without legal status, and support for Prop 36 and the sanctuary law [Governor's race: immigrant health care; Governor of California]. On single payer he moved from a March 2026 pledge to a long-term goal 'not possible under this administration' as the California Medical Association endorsed him [Xavier Becerra backpedals on single-payer as he woos powerful doctors lobby; Governor of California]. Critics focus on HHS's handling of unaccompanied migrant children, a fraud case involving his dormant campaign account in which prosecutors call him a victim, and a campaign that rivals and GrowSF say offers few specifics [California governor frontrunner Xavier Becerra's playbook: never say you're sorry; California governor debate: rivals gang up on Democratic frontrunner Becerra; California Governor - November 2026 Election]. In the single general-election debate, on September 30, he mentioned Trump more than a dozen times and tied Hilton to him [CNN gubernatorial debate coverage]. ### Record highlights - 2017-2018, as attorney general: led multistate opposition to the DACA rescission and won a preliminary injunction in January 2018; by June 2018 he had filed 35 suits against the federal government [S4, S5, S6]. [Attorney General Becerra Ready to Sue Trump Administration Over DACA Decision; ICYMI VIDEO: Attorney General Becerra holds press conference; VICE: This Son of Immigrants Has Sued Trump 35 Times and Counting] - As attorney general he sued Huntington Beach over housing planning, the state's first such suit against a city, and defended the sanctuary law in court [S20, S21, S22]. [California Governor - November 2026 Election; Governor of California; CNN gubernatorial debate coverage] - 2021-2025, as HHS Secretary: oversaw the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and ACA enrollment growth to more than 16 million (his figures, 2022-2023 testimony) [S7, S8]. [Senate Hearing 117-135; House Hearing, 118th Congress (HHS Secretary testimony)] - A 2024 HHS inspector general audit found missing documentation of sponsor background checks in 16% of unaccompanied-children cases and late follow-up calls in more than a fifth [S15]. [California governor frontrunner Xavier Becerra's playbook: never say you're sorry] - He voted for Proposition 36 in 2024, breaking with Gov. Newsom [S20, S21]. [California Governor - November 2026 Election; Governor of California] - May 2026: former strategist Dana Williamson pleaded guilty in a scheme to divert $10,000 a month from his dormant campaign account; prosecutors say no candidate is implicated and consider him a victim [S15, S16]. [California governor frontrunner Xavier Becerra's playbook: never say you're sorry; California governor debate: rivals gang up on Democratic frontrunner Becerra] ### Stated positions - Health care: 'California's Health Care Governor' building toward universal single payer [S2]; in March 2026 he pledged single payer as governor, but by May his campaign said it 'is the right goal — but it's not possible under this administration' [S14, S18]. [Xavier's Priorities; Xavier Becerra backpedals on single-payer as he woos powerful doctors lobby; Xavier Becerra embraces 'competence' message as CA governor's race tightens] - Immigrant coverage: keep state Medi-Cal for immigrants without legal status, 'Not only can it, it must' (April 2026), funded by new revenue such as higher corporate and top-earner taxes [S13, S19]. [Xavier Becerra talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript); Governor's race: immigrant health care] - Budget: answered 'Both' to cuts and tax increases for the $20-35 billion structural deficit, pointing to billing-code and prior-authorization savings (April 2026) [S13]. [Xavier Becerra talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] - Housing and costs: declare an emergency to freeze insurance and utility rates, fund 40,000 approved units, speed permitting, limit bulk corporate home buying [S18, S21, S22]. [Xavier Becerra embraces 'competence' message as CA governor's race tightens; Governor of California; CNN gubernatorial debate coverage] - Climate: supports clean-energy goals but open to revising them, including the 2035 gas-car ban, if fuel becomes unaffordable [S21]. [Governor of California] - Immigration enforcement: state law enforcement could 'investigate,' 'charge,' 'prosecute' and 'incarcerate' ICE agents who break state law (April 2026) [S13]. [Xavier Becerra talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] - Entertainment: called the $750 million film credit 'the floor' without committing to uncap it (May 2026) [S17]. [Xavier Becerra Unveils Plan to Protect Hollywood Jobs] ### Where sources disagree - Lawsuits against the first Trump administration are counted as 122 [S2], 'more than 120' [S9], 120 [S10, S20] and 'more than 100' [S21]. [Xavier's Priorities; A fight to reclaim the California Dream; Xavier Becerra gives first TV interview of California governor campaign; California Governor - November 2026 Election; Governor of California] - Single payer: his campaign site still promises to 'build toward a universal single-payer system' [S2], while KQED reports he told doctors he was not supportive 'at this point' [S14] and ABC7 reports he reiterated support for Medicare for All [S18]. [Xavier's Priorities; Xavier Becerra backpedals on single-payer as he woos powerful doctors lobby; Xavier Becerra embraces 'competence' message as CA governor's race tightens] - Migrant children: rivals cite 85,000 'lost' children [S3, S15]; CalMatters reports immigration advocates call 'missing children' claims misleading, while the OIG found documentation and follow-up gaps [S15]. [Becerra trying to get away with offering the bare minimum; California governor frontrunner Xavier Becerra's playbook: never say you're sorry] ### Gaps - No candidate statement in the official voter guide [S1]. - No full debate transcript; debate coverage is in takeaway form. - No detailed revenue plan or cost estimate for his proposals in the sources. - No major education policy proposals, per CalMatters [S21]. - No independent assessment of his HHS record beyond the 2024 OIG audit. ### Arguments for / praise - Experience matters: 'competence is cool,' and the state should not have someone 'who needs training wheels' or 'who's never balanced a budget.' — *Xavier Becerra* [Xavier Becerra embraces 'competence' message as CA governor's race tightens; Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton clash over key issues in California gubernatorial debate] - He has a record of beating Trump in court and would do so again. — *Becerra campaign* [Xavier's Priorities; A fight to reclaim the California Dream] - Recommends him for his experience, housing enforcement record, Prop 36 vote and opposition to the billionaire tax. — *GrowSF* [California Governor - November 2026 Election] - 'He will fight, he will push back' for immigrant communities. — *State Sen. María Elena Durazo* [Governor's race: immigrant health care] ### Arguments against / criticism - HHS lost track of migrant children in its care; Matt Mahan said his tenure 'led to 85,000 migrant children who were lost.' Becerra calls such claims a 'MAGA talking point' and says what employers did after children left HHS custody 'was not on my watch.' — *Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer campaign* [Becerra trying to get away with offering the bare minimum; California governor frontrunner Xavier Becerra's playbook: never say you're sorry] - He offers few specifics, treating his poll lead 'as a reason to say as little as possible'; rivals called his plans 'the bare minimum' and asked for his revenue plan. — *GrowSF, Tom Steyer campaign, Katie Porter* [Becerra trying to get away with offering the bare minimum; California governor debate: rivals gang up on Democratic frontrunner Becerra; California Governor - November 2026 Election] - He is 'the embodiment of the status quo' and part of a 'bloated, badly-run, bureaucratic government'; Hilton says all he offers is 'Trump, Trump, Trump.' — *Matt Mahan, Steve Hilton* [California governor debate: rivals gang up on Democratic frontrunner Becerra; CNN gubernatorial debate coverage; Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton clash over key issues in California gubernatorial debate] - His single-payer stance 'shifts depending on who's in the room,' and he took Chevron money. — *Tom Steyer campaign, KQED* [Becerra trying to get away with offering the bare minimum; Xavier Becerra backpedals on single-payer as he woos powerful doctors lobby; Xavier Becerra embraces 'competence' message as CA governor's race tightens] - The campaign-account case 'doesn't pass the smell test,' and he could still be implicated. — *Antonio Villaraigosa, Katie Porter* [California governor frontrunner Xavier Becerra's playbook: never say you're sorry; California governor debate: rivals gang up on Democratic frontrunner Becerra] ## Analysis of their own words (as of 2026-10-28) Coverage: Read 17 primary-kind samples dated 2017-09 to 2026-10: one full edited interview transcript (S9, LAist, April 2026); four news write-ups of interviews with excerpted quotes (S6, S10, S11, and the debate pieces); five accounts of debates (S1, S3, S4, S5 on the Sept. 30, 2026 CNN general-election debate, S2 a republication of S5, and S7 on the May 14, 2026 primary debate); two campaign-website pages (S12, S17); two California Attorney General press releases from 2017–2018 (S15, S16); and two congressional hearing transcripts from his HHS tenure (S13, 2023 House Ways and Means, read through roughly the first half; S14, 2022 Senate Finance, read through the opening and early questioning). S8 is a photo gallery and S10 a blurb with no transcript; neither contains his words. Missing: a full general-election debate transcript, any op-ed he wrote, questionnaire answers (the Secretary of State statement is blank), his detailed campaign issue sub-pages, and unscripted material between June and September 2026 other than the debate. On the evidence, Becerra's expressed views are those of a mainstream progressive-leaning Democrat on health care and immigration, with more moderate positions on energy and some budget questions. He calls health care a right and sets a long-term goal of single-payer or "Medicare for All" (S17, S9), defends state-funded coverage for undocumented residents (S9), and promises to resist the Trump administration on immigration and other issues, citing his AG litigation record (S12, S16, S9). On gas prices he supports continued in-state gasoline production during a slower clean-energy transition so that "modest income, middle income families" do not "pay the price of our ambitions" (S9). On the deficit he says he would use both cuts and tax increases (S9). His campaign framing centers on competence and experience rather than a stated ideology (S6, S11). Articulation: **mixed**. Prepared texts (S12, S16, S17) are clear and organized but mostly general; S17 states goals ("treat housing like the essential infrastructure it is") without mechanisms on the page itself. In the one full unscripted transcript (S9) he shows command of health-care administration, explaining billing codes, prior authorization and ERISA in specific terms, and he answers the deficit question directly ("Both"). But on several questions he first redirects to Trump (gas prices: "I'd get rid of President Donald Trump first") and gives a concrete answer only when pressed, and on whether Democrats are beholden to unions he answers a different question before saying he is "not beholden to anybody in particular." FOX 11 reports that at his launch (S11) he did not give specific policy changes when asked repeatedly, describing a process of "scrubbing" problems instead. In the debate coverage (S1, S4, S5) his lines are crisp but often take the form of tying his opponent to Trump rather than describing his own plans; asked about the reported Susan Rice insults he said "since when do I have to respond to politicians?" (S4). His congressional testimony (S13, S14) is fluent and data-heavy in prepared statements, with brief, general answers to hostile questions. Consistency: **adequate**. Across 2017–2026 he is consistent on opposing Trump administration policies, on health care as a right, and on immigrant inclusion (S16, S17, S9, S5). His framing of coverage for undocumented residents moved from conditional on affordability at his launch (S11) to unconditional in April 2026 (S9); see shifts. On single payer, his samples keep it as a goal (S17, S9) while adding that it is not achievable under the current federal administration (S9); other sources in this collection (news, not his own words) report a sharper retreat in a private April 2026 meeting with the California Medical Association, which this analysis cannot verify from his own words. He has given no explanation in these samples for the change on undocumented coverage. - Health care and single payer: Calls health care a human right and sets single payer / Medicare for All as a goal, but says it needs federal law changes the current administration will not make; meanwhile he would expand coverage, "front load" primary care, and cut administrative costs from billing codes and prior authorization. - "build toward a universal single-payer system that puts people before profits" [Xavier's Priorities] (undated) - "Medicare is essentially a single-payer healthcare system." [Xavier Becerra talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-04-15) - "So can we? Yes, but we would need the help, and I don't think this federal government's gonna help us get to single payer." [Xavier Becerra talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-04-15) - "So, I'm not talking about cutting the reimbursement." [Xavier Becerra talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-04-15) - Coverage for undocumented residents: In April 2026 says the state must keep covering undocumented residents because early care costs less than emergency care; at his 2025 launch he framed it as a question of affordability to be decided. - "Not only can it, it must, it'll otherwise cost us more money." [Xavier Becerra talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-04-15) - "if we can't afford it, we need to be realistic" [Xavier Becerra gives first TV interview of California governor campaign] (2025-04-02) - State budget deficit: Would use both spending cuts and revenue increases, citing his experience balancing the HHS budget. - "Both. You can't do just one side." [Xavier Becerra talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-04-15) - Housing: Fund already-approved affordable units awaiting financing, speed permitting, boost down-payment help, and override local obstruction, citing his lawsuit against Huntington Beach. - "There are 40,000 affordable housing units that are ready to go," [Xavier Becerra embraces 'competence' message as CA governor's race tightens] (2026-05-27) - "I will treat housing like the essential infrastructure it is." [Xavier's Priorities] (undated) - "No locality should have the right to try to stop all of our people in California from having the housing they need," [CNN gubernatorial debate coverage] (2026-09-30) - Gas prices and energy: First blames the Trump administration for gas prices; when pressed, supports keeping in-state gasoline production and replacing withdrawn federal clean-energy subsidies while slowing the transition's costs for working families. - "I’d get rid of President Donald Trump first, and that would help us reduce the prices." [Xavier Becerra talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-04-15) - "we try to continue to produce as much gasoline in California that we can" [Xavier Becerra talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-04-15) - "we can't make modest income, middle income families pay the price of our ambitions to get there faster." [Xavier Becerra talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-04-15) - "Two dollars more than it was when Donald Trump started the war in Iran," [Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton clash over key issues in California gubernatorial debate] (2026-10-01) - Immigration enforcement and the Trump administration: Would confront federal immigration enforcement that exceeds its jurisdiction, including investigating and prosecuting agents who break state law; makes opposition to Trump central to his campaign. - "our law enforcement can investigate the ice police, charge the ICE police, we can prosecute the ICE police and we can incarcerate the ice police if they violate our laws." [Xavier Becerra talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-04-15) - "Donald Trump is a man-made natural disaster attacking Californians every day." [A fight to reclaim the California Dream] (2025-04) - "You seem to welcome immigrants who look like you, but deport immigrants who look like me," [CNN gubernatorial debate coverage] (2026-09-30) - Homelessness spending: Says state spending has not produced results and promises accountability and enforcement against misuse. - "We have spent billions, and the results are not good enough." [Xavier's Priorities] (undated) - "most people will tell you that they don't think that we've used those billions of dollars in a way that really have addressed the issue of homelessness." [Xavier Becerra talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-04-15) - Artificial intelligence: CalMatters reports he would limit AI data centers in communities that oppose them (S5); in his own quoted words he ties his opponent's lighter-touch stance on AI regulation to Trump. ABC30 (S1) quotes a remark against data centers that only "rob" communities' energy and water, but does not clearly name the speaker, so it is not used here. - "if you listen closely, you can hear Donald Trump in that response." [CNN gubernatorial debate coverage] (2026-09-30) - Transgender athletes: Says school and athletic governing bodies should decide, and calls the issue overblown. - "This has been blown way out of proportion." [Xavier Becerra gives first TV interview of California governor campaign] (2025-04-02) - DACA (as Attorney General, 2017): Argued the DACA rescission was unconstitutional and unlawful and pledged to fight for recipients. - "in terminating DACA, the Trump Administration has also violated the Constitution and federal law," [Attorney General Becerra Ready to Sue Trump Administration Over DACA Decision] (2017-09-05) - "I will do everything I can to fight for them." [Attorney General Becerra Ready to Sue Trump Administration Over DACA Decision] (2017-09-05) Limitations: Most debate and interview material is filtered through news write-ups that select quotes; there is only one full transcript of his unscripted speech (S9), from before the primary. There are no samples of his words from the campaign's issue sub-pages, and only two congressional hearings, partly read, represent four years at HHS. Two samples (S8, S10) contain no words of his. This analysis cannot show how he would govern, and it does not evaluate the accuracy of his factual claims. ## Timeline (newest first) - **2026-10-07** — Published: Xavier Becerra's gubernatorial agenda for California (Axios San Francisco) - **2026-10-01** — Published: Hilton vs. Becerra: Top 3 Moments From the California Governor Debate (The Daily Signal) - **2026-10-01** — Published: Becerra, Hilton only scheduled debate: Trump main topic (LAist) - **2026-10-01** — Published: In Becerra and Hilton's only scheduled debate, Trump was the main character (KQED) - **2026-10-01** — Published: Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton clash over key issues in California gubernatorial debate (ABC30) - **2026-09-30** — Published: CNN gubernatorial debate coverage (CalMatters) - **2026-09-30** — CNN gubernatorial debate between Becerra and Hilton in Burbank (CalMatters) - **2026-09-30** — CNN gubernatorial debate (ABC30) - **2026-09-30** — Campaign issues post-debate statement (Becerra for Governor 2026) - **2026-09-29** — Published: Governor of California (CalMatters) - **2026-09-24** — Published: California Governor - November 2026 Election (GrowSF) - **2026-09-24** — GrowSF guide last updated (GrowSF) - **2026-09-17** — Becerra announces fire-safety affordability plan in Altadena (Becerra for Governor 2026) - **2026-08-11** — Becerra announces free "Power Hour" utility-bill proposal (Becerra for Governor 2026) - **2026-08-07** — Published: 'Trump's Lapdog' vs. 'Government Failure': Hilton, Becerra Trade Insults in Statements to the Daily Signal (The Daily Signal) - **2026-07-30** — Published: '319,000 Missing Immigrant Children': Hilton Revives Becerra's Biggest Failure (The Daily Signal) - **2026-07-12** — Published: Governor's race: immigrant health care (Times of San Diego / KFF Health News) - **2026-06-14** — Published: Editorial: Xavier Becerra's HHS record should disqualify him (The Washington Times) - **2026-06-02** — Hilton posts Facebook video pledging to end coverage for immigrants without legal status (Times of San Diego / KFF Health News) - **2026-06** — Primary: Becerra 28%, Hilton 25% (per GrowSF) (GrowSF) - **2026-06** — Becerra places first in the all-party primary (CalMatters) - **2026-05-27** — Published: Xavier Becerra embraces 'competence' message as CA governor's race tightens (ABC7 News) - **2026-05-26** — Becerra interviewed by ABC7 between San Francisco campaign stops (ABC7 News) - **2026-05-22** — Published: Xavier Becerra Unveils Plan to Protect Hollywood Jobs (TheWrap) - **2026-05-15** — Published: California governor debate: rivals gang up on Democratic frontrunner Becerra (LAist) - **2026-05-14** — Published: Why the migrant child crisis is roiling the California governor race (GV Wire) - **2026-05-14** — Published: California governor frontrunner Xavier Becerra's playbook: never say you're sorry (KPBS / CalMatters) - **2026-05-14** — Final primary debate in San Francisco (LAist) - **2026-05-14** — Dana Williamson pleads guilty in Becerra campaign-account case (LAist) - **2026-05-14** — Newsom proposes restricting some corporate tax credits in his budget (LAist) - **2026-05-01** — Published: Xavier Becerra backpedals on single-payer as he woos powerful doctors lobby (LAist) - **2026-05** — Becerra dismisses migrant-children criticism after a Sacramento town hall (KPBS / CalMatters) - **2026-05** — Becerra defends coverage in a debate and in an OC Register questionnaire (Times of San Diego / KFF Health News) - **2026-05** — Becerra releases entertainment-jobs plan, 10 days before June 2 primary (TheWrap) - **2026-04-28** — California Medical Association endorses Becerra (LAist) - **2026-04-28** — Published: Editorial: CA governor's race lacks clear leader as Becerra emerges amid criticism (GV Wire / Orange County Register) - **2026-04-15** — Published: Xavier Becerra talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript) (LAist) - **2026-04-15** — LAist publishes transcript (LAist) - **2026-04-14** — Published: Here's how California's next governor will change your taxes (LAist) - **2026-04-13** — Becerra interviewed by Larry Mantle at LMU (LAist) - **2026-04-12** — Eric Swalwell exits governor race (KPBS / CalMatters) - **2026-04-04** — Hilton and Chad Bianco debate at the Lincoln Club of Coachella Valley (LAist) - **2026-04** — Trump endorses Hilton (per GrowSF) (GrowSF) - **2026-03-23** — Becerra posts pledge to deliver single-payer health care as governor (LAist) - **2026-02-26** — Published: Xavier Becerra on why his upbringing and career give him an edge (KQED) - **2026-02-20** — Becerra interviewed on KQED Political Breakdown (KQED) - **2026** — Published: Becerra hasn't made education a priority. California education leaders aren't worried (EdSource) - **2025-04-02** — Published: Xavier Becerra gives first TV interview of California governor campaign (FOX 11 Los Angeles) - **2025-04** — Published: A fight to reclaim the California Dream (Becerra for Governor 2026) - **2025** — Newsom and legislative leaders freeze Medi-Cal enrollment for adults without legal status (Times of San Diego / KFF Health News) - **2024** — HHS OIG audit on unaccompanied children's sponsor vetting released (KPBS / CalMatters) - **2024** — Published: Senate Hearing 117-135 (U.S. GPO govinfo) - **2024** — Published: House Hearing, 118th Congress (HHS Secretary testimony) (U.S. GPO govinfo) - **2023-03-28** — Becerra testifies to House Ways and Means on FY2024 HHS budget (U.S. GPO govinfo) - **2023** — New York Times series on migrant child labor (KPBS / CalMatters) - **2022-04-05** — Becerra testifies to Senate Finance Committee on FY2023 HHS budget (U.S. GPO govinfo) - **2018-06-04** — Published: VICE: This Son of Immigrants Has Sued Trump 35 Times and Counting (California Attorney General) - **2018-06-04** — VICE profile published; AG office reprints excerpts (California Attorney General) - **2018-01-10** — Published: ICYMI VIDEO: Attorney General Becerra holds press conference (California Attorney General) - **2018-01-10** — Becerra holds press conference on preliminary injunction in DACA lawsuit (California Attorney General) ## Sources ### Xavier Becerra's gubernatorial agenda for California - Axios San Francisco · interview · published 2026-10-07 · stance: neutral - ### Hilton vs. Becerra: Top 3 Moments From the California Governor Debate - The Daily Signal · debate · published 2026-10-01 · stance: unknown - ### Becerra, Hilton only scheduled debate: Trump main topic - LAist · debate · published 2026-10-01 · stance: neutral - LAist account of the Sept. 30, 2026 CNN debate in Burbank between Becerra and Steve Hilton, moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. It reports that Becerra mentioned Trump more than a dozen times and tied Hilton to Trump on taxes, AI, drilling, immigration and housing, while Hilton accused Becerra of offering no concrete solutions. The article is a CalMatters story by Jeanne Kuang, republished. - Becerra: "You're going to end up with Trump results if you follow Steve Hilton's plans," criticizing Hilton's tax plan as also cutting taxes for the wealthiest. - On AI, Becerra said he would limit AI data centers in communities that oppose them; Hilton noted Becerra's campaign received donations from Anthropic and OpenAI. - On immigration, Becerra said Hilton "seem[s] to welcome immigrants who look like you, but deport immigrants who look like me"; Hilton called it "disgraceful." - On housing, Becerra proposed reducing permit hurdles, boosting down-payment assistance, and stopping Wall Street investors from competing with homebuyers, citing his AG lawsuit against Huntington Beach. - Hilton noted Becerra once graded Newsom an "A for effort" on homelessness; Becerra said Trump has blocked federal homelessness funding. - Hilton: "All you ever say is 'Trump, Trump, Trump,'" calling it "an insult to every Californian who is desperate for something to change." - Hilton proposed building 10 new cities and allowing more construction on undeveloped land: "We have got so much space that we could be building in." - Both support expanding the state film tax credit; asked who was in charge as film jobs left, Becerra said "Donald Trump" and Hilton said "The Democrats." - Reference: Hilton praising deportation campaign (Fox News video) - Reference: CalMatters: Trump blocked homelessness funding - Reference: CalMatters: Hilton advances in primary - Reference: Original CalMatters article ### In Becerra and Hilton's only scheduled debate, Trump was the main character - KQED · debate · published 2026-10-01 · stance: neutral - KQED account of the Sept. 30, 2026 CNN debate in Burbank between Becerra and Steve Hilton, moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. It reports that Becerra mentioned Trump more than a dozen times and tied Hilton to Trump on taxes, AI, drilling, immigration and housing, while Hilton accused Becerra of offering no concrete solutions. The article is a CalMatters story by Jeanne Kuang, republished. - Becerra: "You're going to end up with Trump results if you follow Steve Hilton's plans," criticizing Hilton's tax plan as also cutting taxes for the wealthiest. - On AI, Becerra said he would limit AI data centers in communities that oppose them; Hilton noted Becerra's campaign received donations from Anthropic and OpenAI. - On immigration, Becerra said Hilton "seem[s] to welcome immigrants who look like you, but deport immigrants who look like me"; Hilton called it "disgraceful." - On housing, Becerra proposed reducing permit hurdles, boosting down-payment assistance, and stopping Wall Street investors from competing with homebuyers, citing his AG lawsuit against Huntington Beach. - Hilton noted Becerra once graded Newsom an "A for effort" on homelessness; Becerra said Trump has blocked federal homelessness funding. - Hilton: "All you ever say is 'Trump, Trump, Trump,'" calling it "an insult to every Californian who is desperate for something to change." - Hilton proposed building 10 new cities and allowing more construction on undeveloped land: "We have got so much space that we could be building in." - Both support expanding the state film tax credit; asked who was in charge as film jobs left, Becerra said "Donald Trump" and Hilton said "The Democrats." ### Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton clash over key issues in California gubernatorial debate - ABC30 · debate · published 2026-10-01 · stance: neutral - ABC30 Fresno account of the Sept. 30, 2026 CNN debate, with quotes from both candidates on government, experience, taxes, AI data centers and gas prices. - Hilton: California's spirit "is being crushed by this bloated, badly-run, bureaucratic government that Xavier has been a part of." - Becerra: "you can't do it with someone who's never served, with someone who's never balanced a budget." - Hilton opened by thanking CNN "for bringing Xavier out of hiding." - Hilton said tax relief would come from "Canceling high-speed rail." - Becerra (per ABC30) said data centers that only "rob their energy and electricity, and their water" are "not a good deal"; Hilton said safety should be AI companies' priority, "whether that's done by them or we need regulations." - On gas, Hilton pressed Becerra for the national average price; Becerra answered "Two dollars more than it was when Donald Trump started the war in Iran." ### CNN gubernatorial debate coverage - CalMatters · debate · published 2026-09-30 · stance: neutral - CalMatters account of the Sept. 30, 2026 CNN debate in Burbank between Becerra and Steve Hilton, moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. It reports that Becerra mentioned Trump more than a dozen times and tied Hilton to Trump on taxes, AI, drilling, immigration and housing, while Hilton accused Becerra of offering no concrete solutions. - Becerra: "You're going to end up with Trump results if you follow Steve Hilton's plans," criticizing Hilton's tax plan as also cutting taxes for the wealthiest. - On AI, Becerra said he would limit AI data centers in communities that oppose them; Hilton noted Becerra's campaign received donations from Anthropic and OpenAI. - On immigration, Becerra said Hilton "seem[s] to welcome immigrants who look like you, but deport immigrants who look like me"; Hilton called it "disgraceful." - On housing, Becerra proposed reducing permit hurdles, boosting down-payment assistance, and stopping Wall Street investors from competing with homebuyers, citing his AG lawsuit against Huntington Beach. - Hilton noted Becerra once graded Newsom an "A for effort" on homelessness; Becerra said Trump has blocked federal homelessness funding. - Hilton: "All you ever say is 'Trump, Trump, Trump,'" calling it "an insult to every Californian who is desperate for something to change." - Hilton proposed building 10 new cities and allowing more construction on undeveloped land: "We have got so much space that we could be building in." - Both support expanding the state film tax credit; asked who was in charge as film jobs left, Becerra said "Donald Trump" and Hilton said "The Democrats." - Reference: Hilton praising deportation campaign (Fox News video) - Reference: CalMatters: Trump blocked homelessness funding - Reference: CalMatters: Hilton advances in primary - Reference: CalMatters Becerra profile (Aug. 2026) - Reference: CalMatters voter guide: governor ### Governor of California - CalMatters · voter guide · published 2026-09-29 · stance: neutral - CalMatters' nonpartisan 2026 voter guide page for governor, describing both candidates' backgrounds and positions issue by issue (economy, taxes, housing, homelessness, climate, Trump, justice, health care, tech and AI, education), with endorsements and links to candidate profiles. - Background: two decades in Congress, AG from 2017 leading suits against the first Trump administration, and HHS Secretary under Biden, where he steered the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and drew criticism for the care of migrant children in HHS custody. - Cost of living and housing: declare a state of emergency to freeze insurance and utility rates and fund 40,000 already-approved affordable units; push cities to zone more housing; expand down-payment assistance; limit bulk corporate home purchases. - Taxes: supports a progressive income tax and extending a higher rate on high earners for schools; opposes Proposition 40 (billionaire wealth tax); has not ruled out raising taxes. - Climate: supports clean-energy goals but is open to revising them, including the 2035 gas-car sales ban, if they make fuel unaffordable. - Justice: voted for Proposition 36 and would fully fund it; supports the sanctuary law, which he defended in court. - Health care: moved from single payer to expanding coverage to as many residents as possible; proposes cutting insurer administrative spending, more telehealth coverage, and a health-workforce fund. - Education: CalMatters says he has not released any major education policy proposals. - Hilton's contrasting positions are summarized side by side on each issue. - Reference: CalMatters Becerra profile (Aug. 20, 2026) - Reference: CalMatters Hilton profile (July 6, 2026) - Reference: CalMatters: Becerra and Hilton health-care plans (Sept. 28, 2026) - Reference: California Faculty Association dual endorsement - Reference: Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California endorses Becerra - Reference: CalMatters: Trump endorses Hilton ### California Governor - November 2026 Election - GrowSF · endorsement · published 2026-09-24 · stance: support - GrowSF, a San Francisco advocacy group, recommends voting for Xavier Becerra for governor in its November 2026 guide (last updated Sept. 24, 2026). It praises his experience and housing and public-safety record while criticizing his low-profile campaign, and criticizes Steve Hilton's record and tax plan. Neither candidate returned GrowSF's questionnaire. - GrowSF recommends Becerra. - On Becerra: as AG he sued the first Trump administration 120 times, filed the state's first lawsuit against a city over housing planning, broke with Newsom to vote for Prop 36, opposes the billionaire tax, and says he would declare a housing emergency on day one and fund nearly 40,000 approved subsidized homes. - GrowSF says Becerra has treated his poll lead "as a reason to say as little as possible" and quotes him: "I would prefer not to run on inflated promises. I will run on my record." - On Hilton: GrowSF says he called for an audit of the 2020 election, promoted a theory blaming Dr. Anthony Fauci for the pandemic, was endorsed by Trump in April, would repeal the sanctuary law, and would roll back climate rules. - GrowSF says Hilton's plan to end state income tax on the first $150,000 with a flat 8% above it has no stated offsetting cuts, a gap a Chapman University economist put at almost a third of the state budget. - Reference: Becerra housing priorities page - Reference: SoS June 2026 primary statement of vote summary - Reference: CalMatters Becerra profile - Reference: CalMatters Hilton profile - Reference: KESQ: Hilton unveils flat-tax plan - Reference: CalMatters voter guide: governor ### 'Trump's Lapdog' vs. 'Government Failure': Hilton, Becerra Trade Insults in Statements to the Daily Signal - The Daily Signal · news · published 2026-08-07 · stance: unknown - ### '319,000 Missing Immigrant Children': Hilton Revives Becerra's Biggest Failure - The Daily Signal · news · published 2026-07-30 · stance: oppose - ### Governor's race: immigrant health care - Times of San Diego / KFF Health News · news · published 2026-07-12 · stance: neutral - KFF Health News reporting (republished by Times of San Diego) on the candidates' opposing positions on state-funded Medi-Cal coverage for immigrants without legal status, with budget and polling context. Becerra would keep the coverage; Hilton would end it. - Becerra said in a May debate: "It would be foolish to tell a family that they don't have access to the pediatrician or the family doc." - Becerra wrote in an Orange County Register questionnaire: "Stop treating coverage as a budget variable that expands in good years and contracts when revenue dips." - Becerra objected in 2025 when Newsom and legislators froze enrollment for adults without legal status, cut benefits and imposed premiums; he has vowed new revenue such as higher taxes on corporations and the wealthiest. - Hilton, in a June 2 Facebook video: "Stop taking money from California taxpayers who can barely afford their healthcare to give free healthcare to citizens of other countries who shouldn't even be here." - Hilton promised to use the savings to lower health costs for others "without detailing how"; neither campaign responded to KFF. - Reference: CNN transcript, May 5, 2026 debate segment - Reference: OC Register Becerra candidate questionnaire - Reference: Hilton Facebook video on ending coverage - Reference: LAO report on Medi-Cal cost - Reference: LAO fiscal outlook warning - Reference: Senate budget summary (2026 Budget Act) - Reference: PPIC June 2025 statewide survey ### Editorial: Xavier Becerra's HHS record should disqualify him - The Washington Times · third party analysis · published 2026-06-14 · stance: oppose - ### Xavier Becerra embraces 'competence' message as CA governor's race tightens - ABC7 News · interview · published 2026-05-27 · stance: neutral - ABC7 San Francisco story on a brief interview with Becerra one week before the June 2026 primary, centered on his closing message of experience and competence, with quotes on housing, permitting, oil-industry contributions, Tom Steyer's self-funding and health care. - Becerra: "competence is cool... Having experience is hot," and the state should not have someone "who needs training wheels." - Responding to criticism over Chevron contributions, he said "I took on the oil industry as attorney general. The record speaks for itself." - On housing he said "There are 40,000 affordable housing units that are ready to go" lacking final funding. - His "magic wand" issue is the slow permitting process. - ABC7 reports he reiterated support for "Medicare for All" while expanding coverage incrementally. - Reference: Grist: Chevron contributions in governor race ### Xavier Becerra Unveils Plan to Protect Hollywood Jobs - TheWrap · news · published 2026-05-22 · stance: neutral - TheWrap reports on Becerra's seven-point plan for entertainment-industry jobs, released 10 days before the June 2026 primary, quoting his press release. - The plan proposes a California Entertainment Summit of unions, crews, producers, executives and streamers to "produce a public action plan." - Becerra calls the $750 million film tax credit "the floor" and says he would expand it based on where work is being lost, but does not commit to uncapping it, unlike some rivals. - It supports a content-performance disclosure requirement for studios and streamers and disclosure of AI use, with performer rights over their likeness. - It also proposes cutting local permitting red tape, workforce development with guilds, and pushing for a federal production subsidy. - Reference: TheWrap: how each candidate plans to help Hollywood ### California governor debate: rivals gang up on Democratic frontrunner Becerra - LAist · debate · published 2026-05-15 · stance: neutral - CalMatters takeaways (republished by LAist) from the May 14, 2026 final primary debate in San Francisco, where rivals focused attacks on frontrunner Becerra and Hilton declined to answer yes or no on stricter regulation of AI chatbots for children. - Rivals attacked Becerra over a Chevron contribution, his performance at a housing forum, hospice fraud during his HHS tenure, and the guilty plea that day of former strategist Dana Williamson in the campaign-account theft case. - Katie Porter pressed "What is Mr. Becerra's revenue plan?"; Becerra pointed to restricting some corporations' use of tax credits, an idea Newsom proposed that day. - Becerra: "This is what happens when you take the lead in the polls... They all come at you," and cited a prosecutor's statement that "no candidate running for governor has been implicated." - Asked if he could guarantee the case would not be a distraction, Becerra said "I can." - On regulating AI chatbots that interact with children, Hilton refused a yes-or-no: "it's not as simple as that" and "It causes problems that are unintended." - Hilton said of himself and Chad Bianco: "Only two of us actually represent real change." - Reference: CalMatters: Williamson plea deal - Reference: CalMatters: housing forum - Reference: Original CalMatters article ### Why the migrant child crisis is roiling the California governor race - GV Wire · news · published 2026-05-14 · stance: neutral - ### California governor frontrunner Xavier Becerra's playbook: never say you're sorry - KPBS / CalMatters · news · published 2026-05-14 · stance: neutral - CalMatters reporting (republished by KPBS) on how Becerra responded during the primary to criticism of his record, especially HHS's handling of unaccompanied migrant children and a fraud case involving his dormant state campaign account. It reports that he dismissed or deflected the criticism, and sets out what a 2024 HHS inspector general audit found. - Becerra called criticism over migrant children a "MAGA talking point" and a "Trump lie"; CalMatters notes the allegations rest on a Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times investigation. - Becerra said: "What employers did after they left our care, after they left our jurisdiction... was not on my watch." - A 2024 HHS Office of Inspector General audit found missing documentation of sponsor background checks in 16% of cases and late follow-up calls in more than one-fifth of cases. - In the campaign-account case, strategist Dana Williamson was charged with conspiring to divert $10,000 a month to former chief of staff Sean McCluskie, who pleaded guilty; Becerra is not implicated and prosecutors consider him a victim. - Becerra says he approved the payments believing they were for account maintenance and legal compliance. - Reference: HHS OIG audit OEI-07-21-00250 - Reference: NYT investigation on migrant child labor - Reference: NYT: missed warning signs - Reference: KTLA interview with Becerra - Reference: Original CalMatters article ### Xavier Becerra backpedals on single-payer as he woos powerful doctors lobby - LAist · news · published 2026-05-01 · stance: neutral - KQED reporting, republished by LAist, that Becerra softened his long-standing support for single-payer health care as the California Medical Association, which opposes single payer, endorsed him on April 28, 2026. It sets his earlier statements beside a campaign spokesperson's current position. - CMA president Dr. René Bravo says Becerra told doctors "at this point, he wasn't supportive of single payer." - On March 23, 2026, Becerra posted that he was "ready to go further as Governor and deliver single-payer health care for our state." - A campaign spokesperson wrote that single payer "is the right goal — but it's not possible under this administration." - Becerra told the doctors his focus was funding losses from H.R. 1, expected to cost California safety-net programs $9.5 billion a year. - Assemblymember Ash Kalra says Becerra "knows how to get it done" but endorsed Steyer for his clearer commitment to single payer. - Reference: Becerra's 1994 congressional testimony video (post) - Reference: CSAC: H.R. 1 cost to California counties ### Editorial: CA governor's race lacks clear leader as Becerra emerges amid criticism - GV Wire / Orange County Register · third party analysis · published 2026-04-28 · stance: mixed - ### Xavier Becerra talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript) - LAist · interview · published 2026-04-15 · stance: neutral - LAist's edited transcript of AirTalk host Larry Mantle's interview with Becerra, recorded April 13, 2026, before a live audience at Loyola Marymount University. Becerra answers questions on single-payer health care, health-care fraud, the state's structural deficit, coverage for undocumented residents, labor unions, homelessness spending, gas prices, pandemic response and ICE enforcement, and closes with his family story. - On single-payer: Becerra says Medicare is "essentially a single-payer healthcare system" and California could move to Medicare for All, but says federal law (including ERISA) would need to change and "I don't think this federal government's gonna help us get to single payer." - On fraud: he says states and localities administer programs, says California has not done enough against Medi-Cal fraud, and says that as AG he "stood up a separate division to deal with Medi-Cal fraud." - On the $20–35 billion structural deficit, he answers "Both" to cuts and tax increases, citing his experience balancing the HHS budget, and says savings could come from standardizing health-care billing codes and reducing prior-authorization disputes; he says he is "not talking about cutting the reimbursement." - On coverage for undocumented residents: "Not only can it, it must," arguing early care costs less than emergency-room care. - On unions, he defends higher wages, says "I'm not beholden to anybody in particular," and allows that some legislators may be "overly helpful to particular interests." - On homelessness spending, he promises accountability and enforcement against misuse, as he says he did as AG. - On gas prices he first says "I'd get rid of President Donald Trump first," then proposes keeping in-state gasoline production, building clean-energy infrastructure, and replacing withdrawn federal clean-energy subsidies. - On ICE, he says state law enforcement could "investigate," "charge," "prosecute" and "incarcerate" ICE agents who violate state law. - Reference: Companion transcript: Steve Hilton on AirTalk ### Here's how California's next governor will change your taxes - LAist · news · published 2026-04-14 · stance: neutral - KQED reporting (republished by LAist) comparing primary-season tax proposals of the leading governor candidates in April 2026. It does not describe a Becerra tax plan; it says candidates other than those profiled "have not released detailed tax proposals." It details Steve Hilton's then-current plan. - Hilton argued the budget has nearly doubled since 2017 and that the cost of doing business drives poverty and higher taxes. - Hilton's April 2026 plan: no state income tax under $100,000, flat 7.5% above; eliminate the roughly $800 minimum franchise tax; oppose changes to Proposition 13. - Hilton believes the tax cuts will grow the economy and could raise revenue. - None of the leading candidates indicated which programs they would cut to offset lost revenue. - Porter, Steyer, Bianco, Mahan and Thurmond plans are also described; Becerra is not discussed. - Reference: FTB: $800 minimum franchise tax - Reference: State income tax filer data (PIT annual report 2024) ### Xavier Becerra on why his upbringing and career give him an edge - KQED · interview · published 2026-02-26 · stance: neutral - A KQED Political Breakdown episode page for Scott Shafer's Feb. 20, 2026 conversation with Becerra. The page text is a short description, with the interview itself only as an embedded video; it contains no transcript. - KQED says Becerra calls the race a "break-glass moment" for California. - The episode covers his upbringing as a son of working-class immigrant parents, his legal fights with the Trump administration, and his management of the HHS budget. - Reference: KQED: California took on Trump before ### Becerra hasn't made education a priority. California education leaders aren't worried - EdSource · news · published 2026 · stance: neutral - ### Xavier Becerra gives first TV interview of California governor campaign - FOX 11 Los Angeles · interview · published 2025-04-02 · stance: neutral - FOX 11 Los Angeles write-up of Becerra's first TV interview after announcing his run for governor, on "The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson." It quotes him on his motivation, his "lane," health care for undocumented Californians, and transgender athletes, and reports that he did not give specific policy changes when asked repeatedly. - Becerra said he was running because families like his immigrant parents' can no longer afford "the California dream," and because of "what's happening in Washington D.C." - He described his lane as "Builder" and said as AG he "proved a protector of our values." - FOX 11 reports that when asked repeatedly for specific policy changes or differences from Gov. Newsom, he did not give a specific answer and described a process of "scrubbing" problems with experts. - On health care for undocumented Californians he said everyone should have access but "if we can't afford it, we need to be realistic." - On transgender athletes he said the issue "has been blown way out of proportion" and that schools or athletic bodies should decide. - He criticized job cuts at HHS under his successor Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - Reference: Becerra announces run for governor (FOX 11) ### A fight to reclaim the California Dream - Becerra for Governor 2026 · position statement · published 2025-04 · stance: support - The home page of Becerra's 2026 campaign website ("Build, Protect, and Lead California"). It presents the campaign's case for Becerra, centered on his record of litigating against the Trump administration as attorney general and his record as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, and lists recent campaign press releases. - The campaign says he is running "to make sure that California keeps rising" by building the economy and protecting rights and freedoms. - The campaign says that as attorney general he sued the Trump administration more than 120 times and won victories protecting Obamacare, workers and Dreamers. - The campaign says that as HHS Secretary he expanded health coverage to more than 24 million Americans and stood up to drug companies on prescription costs. - Recent releases listed: a Sept. 30, 2026 post-debate statement, a Sept. 17, 2026 fire-safety affordability plan announced in Altadena, and an Aug. 11, 2026 free "Power Hour" proposal to cut utility bills. - Reference: Post-debate campaign statement (Sept. 30, 2026) - Reference: Fire-safety affordability plan (Sept. 17, 2026) - Reference: "Power Hour" utility proposal (Aug. 11, 2026) ### Senate Hearing 117-135 - U.S. GPO govinfo · interview · published 2024 · stance: not_applicable - Official GPO transcript of the Senate Finance Committee's April 5, 2022 hearing on the President's fiscal 2023 HHS budget, with HHS Secretary Becerra's opening statement and answers on mental-health parity, hearing aids, responsiveness to Congress, Medicare solvency, drug prices, drug shortages and health equity. - Becerra cites more than 255 million Americans with at least one COVID vaccine dose, 325 million free at-home tests and 270 million free N95 masks. - He cites 14.5 million ACA enrollees and a rule to fix the "family glitch." - The FY2023 request: $127 billion discretionary, $1.7 trillion mandatory, and $82 billion for pandemic preparedness. - On mental-health parity he proposes more state enforcement money and eliminating Medicare's 190-day lifetime limit on psychiatric hospital care. - Asked by Sen. Grassley whether Biden has a Medicare solvency plan, he said the administration was prepared to work on a bipartisan basis, focusing on costs rather than benefits. - On drug prices he said the administration would "use whatever available authority we have" while seeking bipartisan legislation. ### House Hearing, 118th Congress (HHS Secretary testimony) - U.S. GPO govinfo · interview · published 2024 · stance: not_applicable - Official GPO transcript of the House Ways and Means Committee's March 28, 2023 hearing on President Biden's fiscal 2024 budget request with HHS Secretary Becerra as sole witness. It includes Becerra's opening statement and his answers to members on drug-price negotiation, Medicare solvency, telehealth waivers, CMMI and implementation of the No Surprises Act. - Becerra's opening statement cites more than 16 million ACA marketplace enrollees, a $35 monthly insulin cap, and nearly 700 million COVID vaccine shots. - He describes the FY2024 request as $144 billion discretionary and $1.7 trillion mandatory, framed as moving "from an illness care system to a wellness care system." - Chairman Jason Smith criticized the budget's Medicare solvency claims as "budgetary sleight of hand"; Becerra said the President proposed "a real plan to deal with Medicare." - Rep. Adrian Smith raised New York Times reporting on unaccompanied children, sponsor vetting and ORR "losing track of these children" and asked for a response to his letter. - Rep. Brad Wenstrup accused Becerra of implementing the No Surprises Act against the statute; Becerra said HHS followed court guidance and that arbitrators, not he, called claims frivolous, noting 164,000 disputes in eight months. - Becerra said HHS would keep the committee informed on drug-price negotiation and supported making telehealth flexibilities permanent through Congress. ### VICE: This Son of Immigrants Has Sued Trump 35 Times and Counting - California Attorney General · decision record · published 2018-06-04 · stance: not_applicable - A California Department of Justice release reprinting excerpts of a VICE profile of then-Attorney General Becerra, reporting he had filed 35 lawsuits against the federal government since Trump's inauguration and quoting him on defending California policies and on his immigrant family background. - The profile reports 35 lawsuits against the federal government by June 2018, on healthcare, immigration, net neutrality, and student-loan relief, among others. - Becerra is quoted saying "We're going to do everything we can to defend California's values." - It mentions suits over fuel-economy rollbacks (leading 16 states) and the 2020 Census citizenship question, and two new suits against the EPA. - Becerra describes his parents' experience with discrimination and calls their path "the American Dream." ### ICYMI VIDEO: Attorney General Becerra holds press conference - California Attorney General · position statement · published 2018-01-10 · stance: not_applicable - A short California Department of Justice release announcing that, in the DACA litigation led by Attorney General Becerra, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration's rescission of DACA pending a final decision. It links video of Becerra's press conference. - The federal district court in Northern California issued a preliminary injunction against the DACA rescission. - The injunction blocks implementation until a final decision in the litigation. - The Attorney General's office continued to urge Congress to pass a permanent solution. - Reference: Full press release on the nationwide DACA injunction - Reference: Press conference video ### Attorney General Becerra Ready to Sue Trump Administration Over DACA Decision - California Attorney General · position statement · published 2017-09-05 · stance: not_applicable - A California Department of Justice press release in which then-Attorney General Becerra announced he was prepared to sue the Trump administration over its rescission of the DACA program, with a statement from Becerra. - Becerra said terminating DACA "violated the Constitution and federal law." - He said nearly 80 percent of voters want to protect Dreamers' legal status and that California businesses would lose more than a billion dollars in turnover costs. - The release says roughly a quarter of DACA grantees, more than 220,000 young people, live in California. - In July 2017 Becerra led 20 attorneys general in a letter urging President Trump to maintain DACA. ### https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/candidates/governor-candidate-statements.htm - Unknown publisher · other · published undated · stance: not_applicable - The California Secretary of State's Official Voter Information Guide page of governor candidate statements. It lists Xavier Becerra (Democratic) and states "No candidate statement." for him; the other listed candidate also submitted no statement. The page also describes the governor's duties. - Xavier Becerra is listed as a Democratic candidate for governor. - No candidate statement was submitted by Xavier Becerra. - The governor oversees most state departments and agencies, appoints judges, proposes and approves or vetoes legislation, submits the annual budget, and directs state resources in emergencies. - Reference: SoS voter guide: all candidates ### Xavier's Priorities - Becerra for Governor 2026 · position statement · published undated · stance: support - The "Priorities" index page of Becerra's 2026 campaign website, with one-paragraph statements on health care, fighting Donald Trump, housing, affordability, energy and utilities, disaster preparedness, artificial intelligence, homelessness and wildfire protection. Each links to a longer issue page. - Health care: "as California's Health Care Governor I will deliver affordable care without debt or delays, strengthen Medi-Cal, close racial and economic gaps, and build toward a universal single-payer system." - Trump: he cites "a proven record of facing and winning against Donald Trump, 122 times in fact as California's Attorney General." - Housing: "I will treat housing like the essential infrastructure it is." - Affordability: standing up to price gouging and unjustified rate hikes, expanding childcare help, and "using the power of the state to lower prices where the market has failed." - Homelessness: "We have spent billions, and the results are not good enough." - AI: "AI should broaden opportunity, not concentrate it." - Reference: Health care priority page - Reference: Housing priority page - Reference: Economy and affordability page - Reference: Energy and utilities page - Reference: Homelessness page - Reference: AI page - Reference: Fighting Donald Trump page - Reference: Wildfire protection page ### Becerra trying to get away with offering the bare minimum - Tom Steyer campaign · other · published undated · stance: oppose - A press release from rival Democrat Tom Steyer's primary campaign attacking Becerra's policy plans as thin, legally questionable, or inconsistent, and contrasting them with Steyer's own plans. - Says a POLITICO report found Becerra's plan to declare a state of emergency and freeze property insurance is "very likely illegal" according to experts. - Quotes former Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones calling the proposal "very questionable." - Says Becerra's single-payer stance "shifts depending on who's in the room." - Calls Becerra's AI, housing and climate plans sparse, and notes a maximum contribution from Chevron. - Reference: POLITICO report on insurance-freeze legality (via tracking link) ## Suggested use Ask me neutral questions about this subject using the material above. Distinguish what the sources say from your own background knowledge, cite the source titles you rely on, and say when information may be out of date given the dates shown.