Xavier Becerra will succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom as the next governor of California, becoming the first Latino elected to the state’s top office after a resounding victory over Republican Steve Hilton, winning approximately 64% to 34%.
Becerra, a Democrat, served as secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) under President Joe Biden; as attorney general of California; and was elected to represent California in the U.S. House of Representatives 12 times.
Becerra will be the second Latino governor in California history. In 1875, Romualdo Pacheco became the first Latino governor by succession, after his predecessor resigned to serve in the U.S. Senate. Decades earlier, Pío Pico was the last governor of Alta California under Mexican rule, serving from 1845-46. He was Afro Latino and made Los Angeles the capital of the province.
The results of the midterm election brought a blue wave across the nation, bringing renewed hope for much of the country, including California’s large Latino communities, who cheered and hugged each other at watch parties as victories were announced. There is also an exhale of relief as they look toward Becerra for possible protection as governor – a man who looks like them, who has shared experiences, and who they hope may be able to temper the scapegoating and racial profiling Latinos have been subjected to during President Donald’s Trump’s two terms in office.
“ I’m ready to work with anyone. That is [what] my parents taught me – if there’s work to be done, you have to work with whoever’s willing to pitch in,” said Becerra on the eve of the election, addressing residents in the City of San Fernando, who had the rare and exciting opportunity to greet, shake hands and take selfies with the governor-elect right before his historic win.
“[But] we’re not going to kneel before anyone,” he continued. “So if you want to work with California, we’re partners. If you want to attack California and our families, you’ll have an enemy. So it depends on what the federal government wants to be.”
Becerra visited the tight-knit San Fernando community accompanied by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez, who represents the Northeast Valley. They stopped by Library Plaza and nearby businesses on Maclay Avenue for what was originally supposed to be a small, invitation-only gathering with local business owners and community leaders. But when word spread that Becerra would be in town, the plaza was soon filled with a big crowd of supporters.
Becerra described the City of San Fernando – which is a predominantly Latino community – as “a great town – it’s a place where you find generations of families that have lived here,” he said.
The San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol spoke with residents who were there about their wishes for California under Becerra’s leadership, including hope that gas prices will go down, as well as the cost of living. All those we spoke with, however, had the same thread of concern for protecting the community from increasingly violent immigration enforcement raids by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), especially in the San Fernando Valley, where ICE from the start has had an oppressive presence and has brutalized citizens and noncitizens alike.
Ruben Rodriguez, executive director of Pueblo y Salud, a substance use prevention nonprofit in the City of San Fernando, said he hopes Becerra “does all he can within the state’s power to stop the inhumanity” of ICE raids that are targeting and instilling fear across immigrant communities.
“Even if [that means] mobilizing the National Guard to keep these marauders, these thugs from causing terror in our communities, from snatching women with children off the street,” said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez also wants Becerra to explore all possible ways to shut down detention centers.
“I think he happens to be on the right side of the issues that are impacting our community, namely the ICE raids [and] detention centers,” he continued, acknowledging that he realizes Becerra’s authority as governor will be limited regarding federal immigration enforcement.
“I’m not sure what [will be] within his power,” said Rodriguez. But he hopes Becerra will help support “people who just want a legal right to work” for their families – which is “what we all want, what all of humanity wants and deserves,” he said.
Becerra has previously said that he would convict ICE if they violated the law.
“We always talk about sanctuary cities, [but] we really have to become a sanctuary state,” said Rodriguez.
Tracey De Lucas, a City of San Fernando resident and hairstylist at The Beauty Shop on Maclay Avenue who voted for Becerra, is also concerned about ICE raids, which have largely been targeting Latino and brown people, placing a large percentage of the population at risk, she said. But “even if you don’t look Latino, but you have a business in Los Angeles or the San Fernando Valley, you’re most likely also being affected” by random immigration enforcement activity, she said.
“Ever since these raids started happening – and it doesn’t matter what party you’re in, Republican or Democrat – everybody in this community has been [impacted],” she said. “If you go down Maclay Avenue during the day, or even at night, you hardly see anybody walking down the street anymore. People are living in fear, and it’s also affecting all types of businesses, because no one’s going out and spending money … and [businesses are] losing money.”
De Lucas also hopes Becerra “keeps all the promises that he’s [made]” to Californians – including lowering everyday expenses statewide, which Becerra reiterated during his victory speech Tuesday night, saying, “As governor, my mission is straightforward, but not simple: deliver a California we can afford, and defend a California we can’t afford to lose.”
“I hope he helps out our communities, because I know that right now everybody’s going through difficult economic times … and if we have someone [as governor] who is really going to work for the best interests of working-class communities, that would be great,” said De Lucas.
Rodriguez also wants a more affordable state, starting with reducing fuel taxes to bring down prices at the pump for everyone.
“I’m a Democrat, but I’m not necessarily in favor of [more] taxes; I’m in favor of more accountability,” he said. “I’m willing to pay more taxes if I know it’s really helping families.”
Alex Reza, a retired San Fernando High School teacher, said he believes Becerra is the “best-prepared person we have ever had who will take on the job as [California] governor.”
“I came here today because this is a historic election, and it’ll be historic on Nov. 3, when he will win overwhelmingly,” said Reza, correctly predicting Becerra’s wide-margin win during his stop in the City of San Fernando on Monday.
“Even though California has a lot of problems, including the cost of housing and our schools, which are struggling, I am hopeful that he will make some good progress on all the issues that we have to work on,” he said.
Lucila Alvarez, who has lived in the City of San Fernando for nearly 40 years, said she was excited to see Becerra visiting her longtime community. It also made her feel more positive about the future.
Alvarez said she is looking forward to seeing Becerra follow through on his campaign promise to provide assistance with childcare costs. He pledged to boost pre-K education and expand childcare assistance programs for working and middle-class families.
“I think it’s a win [with Becerra],” said Alvarez. “In the Northeast Valley and in San Fernando [specifically], we’ve always received the smallest piece of the pie. Hopefully, this governor will care more about our community’s needs.”
Editor Diana Martinez contributed to this story.