The California political veteran angling for governor: ‘This is a break-glass moment’

Xavier Becerra, a seasoned former U.S. health secretary and legal battle-tested leader, has entered the crowded Democratic gubernatorial race in California as he seeks to challenge Gavin Newsom. Known for his experience navigating the challenges posed by Donald Trump’s administration during the first term, Becerra is banking on his ability to lead effectively against a second-term Trump-like backlash. The race has reached a critical moment as voters weigh whether Kamala Harris will join the field, pitting California’s blueshifted Democratic landscape against national trends of political turnover and uncertainty.