After the quick implosion of Eric Swalwell’s candidacy for Governor of California, the frontrunner amongst the Democrats in this primary race is former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services and US Congressman Xavier Becerra. He is a local Sacramento native who currently has an edge over fellow Democrat Tom Steyer and Republican Steve Hilton. The primary election in California is to be held on June 2nd and is open to all who qualify (and pay the almost $5000 filing fee). Over fifty candidates are on the ballot including Pakistani American Mohammed Arif. Only the top two will be allowed to run irrespective of their party affiliation to determine the outcome in November.
For those not aware, Hispanics are the largest ethnic community in California and amongst them the majority are Mexican Americans who if born in the United States are also referred to as Chicanos. Xavier Becerra belongs to that community. Chicanos also incorporate within them some South Asians (people from the Punjab and the nearby areas of British India) who came to California in the early 1900s and married into the local Mexican community, since skin pigment control was still in play at the time and these “Brown” marriages were allowed. That and other common attributes, since both communities participated in farming the land, and some dietary similarities (tortillas and chapatis) clinched the deal.
That background was necessary because South Asians numbering around a million, are also a large vote bank in California today with Indian Americans in the lead and Pakistanis in second place. At this point, The Republican leaning Desi voter is heavily tilted towards Steve Hilton and the Democrats in our community are split between Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra with some supporting Katie Porter and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. But there remains a large group of undecided voters who will make their decision at the last minute and could turn the tide in any candidate’s direction.
Xavier Becerra, who is the current front runner in this race, held a town hall meeting on campus at Sacramento State University on Monday, May 11, 2026, which this writer also attended. This was familiar home ground for him as Becerra was amongst his family, friends, and community here. No lofty promises were made, just a low intensity message which was well received. It was the opposite of the local Eric Swalwell rally a few weeks ago during which Swalwell was pitched as a rock star.
To get things warmed up, speakers on stage included CFA President Margarita Berta-Ávila, PPAC President Jodi Hicks, Assemblymember (Suisan City) Lori Wilson, and Becerra’s daughter Clarisa. Bacerra was introduced on stage by the Speaker of the California Assembly, Robert Rivas. Rivas is an ardent supporter of Becerra and pointed out that Xavier understands the problems facing working families in California best because he has had to navigate through that experience himself.
Candidate Becerra was at ease on stage here during his speech and focused on his years of experience having held responsible positions at both the California state level and at the federal level in Washington. He said that if elected, he would not require training wheels to start working as California Governor. He requested everyone to vote early and not wait till June 2nd. Becerra addressed the Labor in the house (there were several here) and recognized all present. He added that unions have had a major hand in building California (his father retired as a proud member).
The crisis of affordability (especially of housing in California), the current leadership challenges coming from Washington, homelessness in the state and the ICE situation featured prominently in the Q&A session after his speech. Becerra said that helping people who are living somewhere and must leave after being hit by a medical emergency or losing their jobs is much cheaper than picking them off the streets and then finding a place for them later.
Funding for schools, especially in low-income areas, was also brought up along with rising housing rents. He said that while paying rent, one is paying someone else but paying a similar amount monthly while buying a home, is developing future wealth. Becerra said that he would promote down payment assistance as this is what often separates a renter from a homeowner. He also reiterated that healthcare is a right and not a privilege.
To conclude, is California ready for the Becerra Era? We should find out within a day or two, after June 2nd, if he will be in the top two who make it to the November final. But while we are waiting let us get out and vote!