With the primary election underway, Xavier Becerra is a leading candidate, drawing on name recognition from his time as U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, State Attorney General, and long-time congressman. However, a closer examination of his career record has brought to light an agonizing mix of administrative failure, corporate pandering, and a proximity to active corruption. California faces significant challenges in housing, cost of living, and climate change, prompting scrutiny of candidates' past performance.
A significant concern surrounding Mr. Becerra’s campaign involves a federal corruption scandal related to his inner circle. In May 2026, his former campaign manager, Dana Williamson, pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges following an FBI wiretap investigation. The investigation detailed how Williamson, alongside Sean McCluskie, who served as Becerra’s long-time chief of staff, illegally funneled $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant state campaign accounts into McCluskie’s wife’s bank account. This action was reportedly intended to secretly supplement McCluskie’s income. Federal prosecutors have stated that Becerra himself is not a named co-conspirator. However, Williamson’s defense attorney revealed that McCluskie indicated he "had talked to Becerra on multiple occasions and everything was good to go" regarding the financial arrangement. Becerra has offered conflicting explanations, admitting in late 2025, “I was aware the payments were made… I had authorized them,” before later claiming during debates that he “didn’t oversee” them. An anonymous complaint filed with the Fair Political Practices Commission further accuses Becerra of violating state campaign finance laws.
During his tenure as California’s Attorney General, Mr. Becerra's record is described as favorable to corporate interest groups and police unions. Amar Shergill, former chair of the California Democratic Party’s progressive caucus, stated that Democratic leadership favors a governor "open for business with corporations." As Attorney General, Becerra reportedly declined to investigate fossil fuel giants accused of misleading the public on climate change while accepting maximum allowable campaign donations from corporate entities such as Chevron. Furthermore, his office engaged in legal action to block the release of police misconduct records after landmark police accountability legislation was enacted. He also reportedly threatened journalists with criminal charges for possessing a list of convicted officers that his own office had inadvertently sent. Journalist Jason Paladino observed that Becerra "reflexively" seemed to oppose measures to improve transparency into police records, drawing a connection to police unions as major campaign backers.
As HHS Secretary under President Biden, Mr. Becerra oversaw what was described as an unprecedented humanitarian disaster concerning unaccompanied migrant children. A New York Times investigation reported that under pressure to alleviate border overcrowding, Becerra directed staff to expedite the movement of children through federal care. The agency reportedly failed to vet sponsors, missed clear indicators of human trafficking, and subsequently lost contact with tens of thousands of children. Many of these minors were later found working in hazardous, illegal, and exploitative jobs across the country. When questioned about these failures during 2026 debates, Becerra reportedly dismissed the reporting as “Trump lies” and “MAGA talking points.”
With California facing complex challenges, the integrity and competence of its leadership are central issues. Matt Mahan, the current Mayor of San Jose, is presented as an alternative candidate offering pragmatic, localized executive experience and a data-driven approach to the state’s housing and homelessness crises.
