(KRON) -- Democrat Xavier Becerra has been elected as the next governor of California. Becerra, 68, will succeed Gavin Newsom, who has been termed out after first being elected back in 2018.
A former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary in the Biden Administration, Becerra is the first Latino elected to lead the nation’s most populous state. Although he bested Republican challenger Steve Hilton by a considerable margin, Becerra’s ascendance to the governor’s mansion was anything but a certainty.
He spent the early part of the race lost in the shuffle of a crowded Democratic field. Becerra emerged as the Democratic frontrunner rather late on. Early frontrunner, former Rep. Katie Porter’s campaign lost momentum after videos emerged of her berating a staffer and awkwardly ending an interview with Inside California Politics host Nikki Laurenzo.
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Former East Bay Congressman Eric Swalwell later assumed the mantle of frontrunner in the race. However, the congressman’s campaign collapsed after reports from multiple women accusing him of sexual misconduct emerged. Swalwell suspended his campaign and later resigned from Congress.
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After Swalwell’s spectacular downfall, Democratic support largely consolidated behind Becerra. While he may lack Newsom’s flash, Becerra has a lengthy and impressive resume, having served as HHS secretary, Attorney General of California, and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Having spent decades in elected office, Becerra brings experience to the office and amid the upheaval of the earlier stages of the governor’s race, emerged as the candidate of choice among Democratic voters looking for a safe pair of hands to entrust the governorship to.
The Democratic National Committee released a statement saying, "Congratulations to Xavier Becerra, the California Democratic Party, and the organizers who delivered an overwhelming victory while keeping this seat blue."
"As a devoted public servant who has spent over three decades fighting for the people, Xavier is a proven champion for working families," the statement continued. "As governor, he will continue to deliver for Californians by lowering costs, expanding access to healthcare, making housing more affordable, bringing down utility prices, standing up for workers, creating good-paying jobs, and protecting public lands throughout the state."
