Biden’s HHS Secretary Jumps Into California Governor’s Race

Former California Attorney General and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra announced his bid for California governor on Wednesday, becoming just the second high-profile Democrat to enter the 2026 race.

Becerra, who sued President Donald Trump more than 120 times during his first administration, said in an announcement post on X, “It’s time to do it again for California.” The Democrat is a career politician who served in the California State House and the U.S. House before being tapped as California’s attorney general. Becerra was then nominated by former President Joe Biden to serve as HHS secretary, a position he held for the entire Biden administration.

“As AG I took on Trump – and won. As HHS Secretary, I took on Big Pharma – and won,” Becerra wrote. “It’s time to do it again for California. Let’s rebuild the California Dream for everyone.”

Becerra said he is running for governor “because I watched my parents, a construction worker and a clerical worker, achieve the California dream.”

“Can we do that today, with this affordability crisis? Very tough,” Becerra added. “But we’ve taken on these tough fights. California has succeeded in those tough fights and become the economic engine of this country.”

I’m running to be the next Governor of California.

As AG I took on Trump – and won. As HHS Secretary, I took on Big Pharma – and won. It’s time to do it again for California. Let’s rebuild the California Dream for everyone.

Join our team: https://t.co/pZsqE35Iku pic.twitter.com/G4ZRVRGHek

— Xavier Becerra (@XavierBecerra) April 2, 2025

In his first TV interview since announcing his campaign, Becerra said he believes everyone in California, including illegal immigrants, “should have access to the health care they need,” but added that the state first “needs a balanced budget.” He also downplayed the issue of trans-identifying men playing in women’s sports, an issue addressed by the state’s legislature this week, where Daily Wire host Matt Walsh testified on Tuesday.

“There are probably more lightning strikes that hit people than there are transgender athletes who are trying to play in women’s sports, so this has been blown way out of proportion,” he said. “What does your school or what does the athletic program or the athletic body say? They’re the ones that govern. If they say you should play, then I’m not going to get in the way. If they say you shouldn’t play, then you don’t have a right under the Constitution to play.”

#BREAKING @XavierBecerra is running for California Governor.

He gave his first TV interview to @FOXLA's @TheIssueIsShow.

"Elex, if all goes well I'll be the next Governor of our great state…yes, I am running!"

Why is he running?

Becerra mentioned the story of his… pic.twitter.com/FX7kjNF6wG

— Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) April 2, 2025

Becerra has faced criticism for targeting pro-life activists and a Catholic charity during his time as California AG. In 2017, Becerra brought felony charges against pro-lifers David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt for their role in exposing Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of aborted baby parts. California’s prosecution of Daleiden and Merritt finally ended in January when a plea agreement was reached. In 2017, Becerra sued the Trump administration over religious liberty exemptions in the Affordable Care Act for Christian charities, such as the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Becerra joins former California Democratic Rep. Katie Porter in the field of gubernatorial candidates. Current California Gov. Gavin Newsom cannot run again since he is term-limited, but he has been floated as a potential presidential candidate for 2028. Lesser-known Democrats in the race include former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Lieutenant Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former State Controller Betty Yee, former state legislator Toni Atkins, and state schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond, The New York Times reported. So far, only one prominent Republican, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, has thrown his hat in the ring.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly considering a run for California governor as well. Harris and Becerra have crossed paths multiple times as Becerra took Harris’ place as AG after Harris was elected to the Senate. The former vice president also swore in Becerra after he was confirmed as HHS secretary.