The mystery behind Becerra leapfrogging over his rivals in California's governor's race
Former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has unexpectedly surged to the front of the California gubernatorial race according to recent polling. Analysts attribute his rise to a combination of a steady, experienced image and the collapse of rival Eric Swalwell's campaign following misconduct allegations.
Why it matters
The shift in the California governor's race demonstrates how political momentum can rapidly change due to candidate scandals and strategic advertising timing.
Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, a Democratic candidate for California governor, speaks at a Get Out the Vote event in Long Beach on Sunday. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times) By Dakota Smith and Nicole Nixon June 1, 2026 3 AM PT 111 9 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X LinkedIn Threads Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here .
The article presents multiple theories for the candidate's rise, including both his own campaign's narrative and external factors, maintaining a balanced analytical perspective.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in