With Swalwell out, Villaraigosa and Becerra trade blows in fractured governor’s race
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa amped up attacks of former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra even as both men poll in the low-to-mid single digits as candidates in the governor’s race.
The two Democrats are hardly household names in a June 2 primary to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom, but Villaraigosa and Becerra’s clash suggests candidates are looking to distinguish themselves from all potential rivals in the wake of former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s decision to suspend his campaign.
Only two of the nine major candidates will emerge from the primary and polls show the race lacks an obvious frontrunner.
Swalwell appeared to be gaining momentum until several women came forward in the past week accusing him of sexual assault and misconduct, ultimately forcing him to suspend his campaign Sunday. The Democrat has denied the accusations.
Speaking to reporters after a candidate forum Tuesday, Villaraigosa said it was the third “scandal” involving candidates in the race. He cited a video that surfaced last year of former Rep. Katie Porter yelling at a staffer in 2021, as well as Becerra’s connection to a fraud scheme.
Becerra’s top aide, Sean McCluskie, plead guilty in November to diverting $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign funds and using the money to inflate his salary. Becerra has not been charged with any wrongdoing and said he was not aware of the scheme.
“A number of these candidates had not been vetted, and that’s why we’ve had scandal after scandal,” said Villaraigosa, who served as Speaker of the Assembly from 1998 to 2000. “And what we need right now is a steady hand.”
Villaraigosa also launched a Facebook ad on Monday attacking Becerra’s handling of child trafficking as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under former President Joe Biden.
Becerra dismissed the criticism in an interview before the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce forum on Tuesday.
“That sounds more like MAGA talking points than something that a candidate for governor should say,” Becerra said. “But you know, some people have to go the low road. Others of us will talk about what we bring to the table.”
Becerra has become more visible on social media since the allegations against Swalwell broke on Friday.
Villaraigosa’s steamy personal life, including an affair with a TV reporter and subsequent divorce from his wife in 2007, were regular fodder for headlines during his tenure as mayor from 2005 to 2013. In 2015, the Los Angeles Times reported Villaraigosa was a consultant to Herbalife, a controversial multi-level marketing company that critics say prays on low-income would-be entrepreneurs.
