Lizza Monet Morales and her mother, Marissa Duarte, who are fifth and sixth-generation Mexican Americans, respectively, believe that the next governor of California should possess strong character and prioritize immigration, education and healthcare. They cast their votes for Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra in this month’s primary election, and on Tuesday night they were beaming after listening to Becerra’s speech at the primary night watch party at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in downtown Los Angeles.
“We need someone who isn’t going to be scared to step up to Trump and not going to fall by the wayside and decide to kiss the ring,” said Morales. “He’s fighting for healthcare, immigrants and students,” her mother echoed.
They want a candidate who will push back against President Donald Trump and don’t believe a billionaire could ever understand their needs. Morales affectionately referred to Becerra as “Tío Xavi” and said it was a welcome sight to see the stage filled with the powerful women in Becerra’s life – his wife Carolina Reyes, an OB-GYN doctor who specializes in women’s health and his three adult daughters, who introduced him to the stage.
Immigration and healthcare are also important for Keely Field, a San Fernando Valley resident.
“I’ve protected children and their families from ICE during immigration raids in my neighborhood,” said Field. She has also hosted immigrant children in her home in Valley Village. Field believes that Becerra’s record on immigration and his opposition to Trump demonstrate his commitment to immigrant rights, as well as to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, which has made insurance accessible and affordable for millions of Americans. “Becerra isn’t afraid of Trump,” Field said. “He has sued the president hundreds of times and won. No one else [other candidate] can say that.”
Tahlia Flores, a 24-year-old student from Fullerton College, shares Field’s opinion about Becerra. “He’s against Donald Trump,” she said during the watch party, which she attended with family and friends from Orange County. Flores also noted that Becerra sued Trump more than 100 times and won most cases, an often-repeated talking point on the Democratic candidate’s campaign trail.
Immigration is a significant issue for Flores’s family as well. “My dad is an immigrant from Mexico,” she said. “His family … made so many sacrifices to be here [in the U.S.] and to help him further in his career, and for me to be in school and to do what I love,” added Flores, who aspires to become an arts teacher.
Affordability is a significant concern for Crystal, a supporter of Becerra, who chose not to disclose her last name. She has always dreamed of owning a home, just like other members of her extended family. However, Crystal feels that this goal is slipping away from her.
“I’m almost 30, and I don’t think I can afford a house,” she said. She added that her generation, along with younger individuals, is struggling to access the benefits and services that many people took for granted. “My sister, who is Gen Z, called me the other day because she can’t afford mental health therapy,” she recalled. “We are barely making it.”
Crystal mentioned that affordability is challenging for her and her friends, yet they refuse to leave California. “We love it here,” she stated. In her opinion, candidate Becerra could help find solutions to the state’s problems. “I am very optimistic,” she said. “I think he’s going to do great going into the general election.”
Crystal expressed her excitement about the possibility of Becerra making history in the upcoming elections.
“It would be fantastic to see him as the first [elected] Latino governor of California,” she said.
Early results indicate that Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are leading the California governor’s race, with Tom Steyer trailing behind. It may take several days or even weeks to determine the top two vote-getters who will compete in November.
If Becerra wins the governorship, he would become the first Latino to be elected to the highest political position in the Golden State.
California had a Latino governor in the late 1800s, but he did not get that post through an election. José Antonio Romualdo Pacheco was serving as lieutenant governor when the elected governor, Newton Booth, secured a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1875. Pacheco then completed the remainder of Booth’s term as governor but chose not to run for election to the office afterward.
Tuesday night at LA Plaza, Becerra positioned himself as the steady leader capable of guiding the state against intrusions from the Trump administration. He highlighted his decades of public service, which includes his time in Congress, his role as state attorney general and his position as federal health secretary in the Biden administration. While addressing supporters, Becerra noted that voters ultimately embraced his message despite early skepticism about his campaign.
“The underdog stayed in the fight,” he said, prompting applause from the audience.
Becerra later added, “While I take nothing for granted, there are lots of ballots left to be counted, yes, it appears that we are on track to advance to November.”
The candidate described what the Golden State has to offer to the nation and beyond. “I know how important California is as a shining light to the world, radiating hope, freedom, opportunity, an unwavering belief in science, public schooling, enterprise and foundational justice and human rights,” he said. “California is America on fast forward.”
At the end of his speech, Becerra reminded supporters of his record against the Trump administration. “I sued Trump more than 120 times before and I won, and I won, and I won,” he said. “And anyone who wants to come at California will have to go through me.”
He then added, “And here’s the good news: California is bigger than Trump. Our values are undeniable and undeportable.”
Becerra concluded, saying, “More than ever, California needs our voices and our values. To the people and voters of California, this is your state,” then adding in Spanish: “Este es tu estado.
“We will not be bought. We will not be bullied and we are never backing down,” he said. “California, thank you very much. November, here we come.”