The race to replace Gavin Newsom as governor of California is now down to two candidates, pitting Democrat Xavier Becerra against Republican Steve Hilton. Now that the race has narrowed, Democrats are uniting behind Becerra, and the spotlight is increasingly shining on the former Biden cabinet official and his record as he looks to lead the nation’s most populous state.

Becerra, a veteran of California politics, emerges as Democratic candidate for governor

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News contributor, will finish second in California’s gubernatorial primary, setting up a one-on-one race against Becerra in November.

Hilton finished ahead of Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer. Under California’s nonpartisan primary system, the top two finishers advance regardless of party, which had created the possibility that Becerra and Steyer would compete against each other in an all-Democratic general election.

Instead, Becerra is the lone Democrat in the race, facing a Trump-endorsed opponent. Steyer and former Rep. Katie Porter, who had also competed in the race for governor, have each conceded defeat and endorsed Becerra.

Winning the governorship would be the latest achievement in Becerra’s prominent career. After attending Standford University for college and law school, Becerra made a career of practicing law and politics in California.

Becerra represented California in Congress from 1993 to 2017, serving as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus from 1997 to 1999 and vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus from 2009 to 2013.

He then served as California attorney general, during which time he filed more than 100 lawsuits against the Trump administration and helped defend the Affordable Care Act against Republican challenges.

Becerra was appointed by President Biden in 2021 to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services.

Becerra gains endorsements as questions about record linger

Now that Becerra has emerged as the lone Democrat in the governor’s race, he has picked up endorsements from high-profile Democrats who initially declined to back a candidate in the previously crowded field.

Vice President Kamala Harris congratulated Becerra on social media, announcing, “I am excited to offer him all the support I can as he sets out to become our state’s next governor.”

Harris, who preceded Becerra as California attorney general and worked with him in the Biden administration, said she was “fortunate to see firsthand how Xavier never shies away from the biggest fights, whether it was taking on the drug companies as Secretary of Health and Human Services or going after sex traffickers and big polluters as California’s Attorney General.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom also endorsed Becerra to be his replacement.

Newsom posted that Becerra “has the experience and grit California needs. He will stand up to Donald Trump, defend our families, and keep our state moving forward.”

Becerra focused on his long resume during the primary campaign.

“You know, competence is cool,” Becerra said during the primary race. “Having experience is hot.”

While Becerra will likely continue to tout his record against the inexperienced Hilton, the former cabinet member’s history could also be a liability.

Becerra’s critics, including some former members of the Biden administration, have painted a negative picture of his time in the Biden cabinet, accusing him of mishandling the processing of young unauthorized migrants and not asserting a strong leadership role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the general election race begins, Hilton has characterized Becerra as a “career politician” who would bring “more of the same” policies as Newsom.

Becerra, meanwhile, has presented Hilton as “Trump’s favorite,” tying the Republican to the unpopular president.

Becerra goes into the general election with the advantage of a long political career and an electorate that has favored Democrats for the past 20 years. The former cabinet secretary’s record, however, also comes with political baggage that he may have to address for skeptical voters if he hopes to become California’s next governor.