Takeaways from The Bee’s endorsement interview with CA governor candidate Xavier Becerra

The Sacramento Bee’s Editorial Board interviewed all the major candidates running for governor to determine who would get the board’s endorsement. Each of the candidates vying to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom for the state’s top office shared their vision for California.

Here is what gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra had to say.

The Bee also is publishing videos and key points from the board’s interviews with six other candidates: Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond and Antonio Villaraigosa.

Why run?

Becerra, a Sacramento native, says he is running for the “hardest working, lowest paid” Californians, as well as the younger generation, saying that these groups can live the California dream, too. He says this is a time for crisis management, and California needs someone ready to do the job on day one. He says his prior leadership experience has prepared him for this moment.

Becerra has previously served as a U.S. Representative, California Attorney General and as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human services (HHS) under former President Joe Biden.

“Experience does matter,” Becerra says. “You cannot do on the job training as the next governor.”

What’s his platform?

Becerra is running on issues including housing and homelessness, healthcare and taxes.

He says as governor he has to show California taxpayers that their money is getting “real results” when it comes to homelessness, and that the state needs to begin overseeing programs alongside city and county leaders.

If elected governor, Becerra pledges to enact policies that will enable the building of 40,000 affordable housing units in his first 100 days in office.

When it comes to healthcare, he says he will find funding so California can act as a backstop for Medicaid cuts coming from Washington, allowing more Californians to remain covered.

“We will not go backwards when it comes to healthcare coverage,” Becerra says.

Californians need “predictability and stability” when it comes to their taxes, which the state’s current tax code doesn’t allow, he says. He says those who pay taxes based on wages, such as construction workers or teachers, should not be paying more than billionaires. He says the so-called “Billionaire tax,” while well-intentioned, is just a one-time deal that is not a viable way to get people to believe they have a system that treats them fairly.

What he says sets him apart from the rest of the pack?

Becerra says his record of delivering results in multiple public service roles is what sets him apart from the other candidates running for governor. He says running the HHS department during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking the policies of President Donald Trump’s administration to court, and suing the southern California city of Huntington Beach to enforce state housing requirements are examples of his leadership.

California’s primary election is on Tuesday, June 2. Be sure to check out The Bee’s Voter Guide for key information and the Editorial Board’s other endorsements before the big day.