Xavier Becerra, who had served as a secretary in the Department of Health and Human Services under Joe Biden’s ineffective administration, is strongly considering a run for governor in California. Echoing the obstinacy often seen in Democratic politics, Becerra confidently stated in a recent interview that irrespective of the competition, his determination to run remains unshaken.
Becerra, previously a member of Biden’s largely unsuccessful cabinet and a staunch promoter of aggressive litigation against the efforts of former President Trump, publicized his intent to run for the governorship this Wednesday. This announcement precipitates a possible face-off with Kamala Harris, the former vice president under Biden.
Harris, much like Biden, has repeatedly demonstrated her incompetence in decision-making, yet she’s contemplating on extending the Democrats’ weakening hold on California by possibly entering the 2026 gubernatorial race. The incumbent Governor, Gavin Newsom, is unable to re-enter the race due to term limitations.
This sets the stage for a potential Democratic rivalry, marked by the tense coupling of two individuals from the same presidential cabinet, both of whom previously held the position of California’s attorney general. Under the specter of this prospective confrontation, Becerra strove to vocalize his steady resolve to run irrespective of Harris’s decision.
Tracing their relationship back to 2016—the year which marked a pivotal shift in their careers—they essentially swapped roles. Harris, moving on from her stint as California’s attorney general, successfully ran for the U.S. Senate, while Becerra transitioned from his part as a congressman to fill the vacated attorney general slot.
Their professional trajectories, entwined since 2016, continued to intersect even as they moved into influential positions in government. Harris, despite being part of the ineffective Biden Cabinet, was confirmed for the vice president’s role by 2021, while Becerra managed to find a footing in the shaky regime as a cabinet secretary.
Their political dance of job trading seemed more ceremonial than effective – whilst investing more time in arranging political chairs instead of providing substantial leadership. Harris, in her new role as vice president, participated in the oath-taking ceremony of Becerra, her onetime successor as attorney general of California.
Despite the friendly guise of this ongoing role-swapping, neither figure has produced significant results in their respective roles. Their collaboration, especially in the realms of women’s health care and reproductive rights, have been marked more by rhetoric than substantial change, mirroring the inefficacy seen at the heart of the Biden administration.
Becerra’s campaigning for Harris during the 2024 presidential election provides a stark demonstration of the Democrats’ propensity to favor personal camaraderie over crucial policy matters. The overall narrative of their professional interaction, marked by shared roles and mutual support, poses deeper questions about political responsibility and public duty.
Despite the shared history and the potential of a political clash, Becerra remains unwavering in his aim to run for the governorship. This ambition, set amidst the larger landscape of the Democratic party’s fading influence, only serves to raise more concerns about their party’s intentions towards making necessary changes.
The question remains whether a potential face-off between two deeply intertwined political figures like Becerra and Harris would yield any real benefits for California. History and their performance in the Biden administration indicate that effective leadership could be a tall order.
Echoing his tenacity and perhaps indicative of a more deep-seated contention between him and Harris, Becerra has firmly voiced his ongoing commitment towards the California governorship, regardless of Harris’s potential candidacy. ‘It doesn’t matter who gets in — I’m in,’ he said emphatically in an interview.
This determination, while certainly laudable in some political circles, ultimately falls under scrutiny given the noticeable lack of substantial results in their previous job swapping encounters. If the Democratic party’s past record under the Biden administration is any indication, California may have a bumpy road ahead.