Governor Gavin Newsom’s advisors are apparently looking into the possibility of Xavier Becerra stepping in as the next governor following a noticeable uptick in his poll numbers after Eric Swalwell’s exit from the race.
Becerra, who previously held the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Biden, has emerged as a strong supporter of Swalwell, who faces serious allegations of rape and sexual harassment.
Recent polling shows Becerra moving up from low single digits, around 4 to 5 percent, to a more substantial 10 percent.
Under the current situation, California voters seem to be reassessing Becerra. There’s been a noticeable increase in discussion about him online.
The California Post has mentioned that many of Newsom’s long-time advisors and political allies had been backing Swalwell, supported by various unions and organizations.
Individuals tied to Newsom’s network, like Courtney Pugh, Lindsey Cobia, and Jason Elliott, were involved at different levels in Swalwell’s campaign.
BearStar Strategies, a consulting group, was also noted for setting up a committee to support Swalwell, but quickly transitioned when allegations against him came forth. Swalwell has denied these accusations.
Some of Newsom’s allies are now reportedly looking at Becerra as a strong candidate. In fact, the creative agency that collaborated with Newsom has now joined Becerra’s campaign efforts.
Although Newsom has not made any formal endorsements, he’s been participating in calls and meetings related to the campaign since Swalwell stepped down.
There’s been some chatter about confusion among Newsom’s political circle. Some indicate that Newsom has remained neutral through this period.
While he appears less inclined to support various candidates vying for his position, he has expressed some concerns regarding Becerra’s previous actions as state attorney general and his overall past performance.
Newsom has chosen to stay away from being openly critical of candidates, not delving into Swalwell’s allegations either.
He recently remarked that the Democratic Party showcases a wealth of diverse talent and vision, which is clearly evident in this gubernatorial race. Newsom expressed confidence that voters will gravitate toward candidates reflecting their values.
