California Primary Approaches: Becerra’s Struggles Gather Attention
As the California primary draws nearer, recent opinion polls indicate that Xavier Becerra might hold a slender lead in the gubernatorial race.
However, he seems to be having difficulty building excitement among supporters. A recent Get Out the Vote event he held on Thursday attracted only a small crowd, as evidenced by social media photos.
Five minutes past the noon start, a Fox News reporter shared an image of Mickey’s bar in West Hollywood, depicting a nearly empty venue.
There were several rows of seats, most unoccupied, with only a handful of people waiting in front of a “Becerra for Governor” backdrop.
Reporter Matt Finn noted, “There’s more media here than supporters,” estimating only about ten attendees. He mentioned that organizers were urging attendees to utilize social media to increase participation.
After roughly 35 minutes, Finn updated his followers, indicating that the total attendance appeared to be “less than a few dozen people.”
A spokesperson for Becerra’s campaign responded to Finn’s post later in the day, suggesting that the venue was now full, sharing a photo of a crowded room.
Jonathan Underland, the spokesperson, posted, “West Hollywood’s iconic Mickey’s is packed for Xavier Becerra!” He also pointed out that reporters could take photos before events began.
Although recent events featuring Becerra have had decent attendance, the small crowd on Thursday raised doubts about the actual enthusiasm for the Democratic candidate.
One social media user expressed skepticism about Becerra’s rising poll numbers, saying, “No one seems to like him, not even many Latinos I know.”
It’s somewhat unexpected for Becerra to emerge as a frontrunner as the June 2 primary approaches. His recent rise followed revelations about sexual misconduct allegations against former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who was once seen as a leading candidate.
Since Swalwell’s exit from the race, Becerra seems to have gained traction as voters are now looking for alternatives. Supporters of outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom also appear to be backing Becerra. For a considerable time, he had been polling in single digits.
This sudden shift raises questions about the commitment of current voters, especially with contenders like progressive billionaire Tom Steyer vying for their support.
Dan Pfeiffer, host of a popular podcast, recently remarked that Becerra’s campaign lacks a clear message that resonates with voters. He suggested that many are simply choosing Becerra because he is perceived as the best of a somewhat uninspiring selection.
Addis Demissi, a former strategist for Newsom, concurred with Pfeiffer, indicating that the array of Democratic candidates lacks the appeal that past figures, like Newsom, had to energize voters.
“The race is still in flux,” Demissi remarked. “You can’t assume that the 15% of voters who shifted from Swalwell to Becerra a week ago suddenly see him as the ideal candidate. They might just see him as a good option but not necessarily a permanent choice.”
