Xavier Becerra made history in 2017 when he became California’s first Latino attorney general for then-Gov. Jerry Brown. He went on to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services under former President Joe Biden beginning in 2021. Now, Becerra is running for governor — what he calls a “break-glass moment” for California.
Becerra joins Scott to reflect on how his upbringing as a son of working-class immigrant parents shaped his politics and life. They also talk about how Becerra’s long career in public service — including many legal victories against the Trump Administration and managing a federal budget that rivals California’s own — has prepared him for this moment.
This interview is part of a series of conversations with the 2026 gubernatorial candidates for California. The primary election is June 2.
Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
