Xavier Becerra

Xavier Becerra
Born	Xavier Becerra 1/26/1958
Birthplace	Sacramento, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Attorney, politician
Known for	25th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, 33rd Attorney General of California, U.S. Representative from California
Education	Stanford University (B.A., J.D.)
Awards	Library of Congress appointment to James Madison Council

Xavier Becerra (born January 26, 1958) is an American attorney and politician who has held prominent positions in California and federal government over a career spanning nearly four decades. A member of the Democratic Party, Becerra served as the 25th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services from March 2021 to January 2025 under President Joe Biden, becoming the first Latino to lead the department. Prior to that appointment, he served as the 33rd Attorney General of California from January 2017 to March 2021 and represented California in the United States House of Representatives for 24 years, from 1993 to 2017. During his time in Congress, Becerra rose through the Democratic leadership ranks, serving as Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus from 2013 to 2017. Born and raised in Sacramento to a working-class family, Becerra earned both his bachelor's degree and law degree from Stanford University before entering public service in the mid-1980s. As of 2025, he is a candidate for governor of California in the 2026 election, drawing on his extensive career in state and federal government as the basis for his campaign.

Early Life

Xavier Becerra was born on January 26, 1958, in Sacramento, California. He grew up in a working-class family in the Sacramento area. Becerra has frequently referenced his upbringing as formative to his political outlook and approach to public service, describing his background as rooted in the experiences of a working-class household.

Becerra is of Mexican descent. His father was born in Sacramento and his mother emigrated from Guadalajara, Mexico. Growing up in Sacramento, Becerra was the first in his family to attend college, an achievement he has cited throughout his career in public life as emblematic of the opportunities available through education and determination.

Education

Becerra attended Stanford University in Stanford, California, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. He continued at Stanford Law School, receiving his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. His education at Stanford placed him among a cohort of Latino political figures who emerged from elite universities to pursue careers in law and public policy during the 1980s. Upon completing his law degree, Becerra was admitted to the California State Bar.

Career

Early Career in California Politics

After completing his education at Stanford, Becerra began his career in public service. In 1986, he worked as an administrative assistant for California state senator Art Torres. This position provided Becerra with direct exposure to the legislative process at the state level and introduced him to the network of Democratic politics in California.

From 1987 to 1990, Becerra served as a deputy attorney general in the California Department of Justice. In this role, he gained experience in legal matters at the state level, working within the office that he would later lead as attorney general.

In 1990, Becerra was elected to the California State Assembly, where he served one term from 1990 to 1992. His time in the State Assembly was relatively brief, as he soon set his sights on a seat in the United States Congress.

United States House of Representatives (1993–2017)

Becerra was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1992, representing a congressional district in the Los Angeles area. He succeeded Edward Roybal, whose district was redistricted. Over the course of his congressional career, Becerra represented California's 30th congressional district (1993–2003), California's 31st congressional district (2003–2013), and California's 34th congressional district (2013–2017) as district boundaries were redrawn through successive redistricting cycles.

Becerra won reelection consistently throughout his tenure, serving twelve consecutive terms in Congress. He became one of the most prominent Latino members of Congress and a significant figure within the House Democratic leadership structure.

Leadership Positions

Becerra steadily rose through the ranks of the House Democratic Caucus during his time in Congress. He served as the House Democratic Assistant to the Leader from January 2007 to January 2009, under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi, succeeding John Spratt in the role and being succeeded by Chris Van Hollen.

Following that position, Becerra was elected Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, serving from January 2009 to January 2013. In this role, he served under Nancy Pelosi's leadership and succeeded John Larson as the caucus continued to organize its leadership hierarchy during a period of both majority and minority status.

In January 2013, Becerra became the Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, the highest-ranking position held by a Latino member in the history of the House Democratic leadership at that time. He served in this capacity until January 2017, with Joe Crowley as his deputy. Upon his departure from Congress, Joe Crowley succeeded him as caucus chairman.

Legislative Focus

During his 24 years in Congress, Becerra was involved in a wide range of legislative issues. He served on several committees and was an active participant in debates regarding immigration, healthcare, trade policy, and tax reform. His congressional record, as documented by the Federal Election Commission and congressional archives, reflects consistent engagement with domestic policy issues affecting his constituents in the Los Angeles area and the broader Latino community.

Becerra was also appointed by the Library of Congress to serve on the James Madison Council, reflecting his engagement with cultural and educational institutions during his time in Congress.

Attorney General of California (2017–2021)

In January 2017, Becerra was appointed as the 33rd Attorney General of California by Governor Jerry Brown to fill the vacancy created when Kamala Harris was elected to the United States Senate. He was sworn in on January 24, 2017, succeeding acting Attorney General Kathleen Kenealy. Becerra became the first Latino to serve as California's attorney general.

As attorney general, Becerra oversaw the California Department of Justice during a period marked by significant legal conflicts between the state of California and the federal government under the administration of President Donald Trump. The California attorney general's office filed numerous lawsuits challenging federal policies on immigration, the environment, healthcare, and other issues during this period.

Planned Parenthood Video Case

One of the notable legal actions taken during Becerra's tenure as attorney general involved the prosecution of individuals who created undercover videos targeting Planned Parenthood. In March 2017, the California attorney general's office filed criminal charges against David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt, who had produced secretly recorded videos alleging the sale of fetal tissue by Planned Parenthood affiliates. The charges included multiple felony counts related to the recording of confidential communications without consent. Additional charges were later filed in the case.

Becerra served under both Governor Jerry Brown and Governor Gavin Newsom during his tenure as attorney general. He continued in the position until March 2021, when he resigned to join the Biden administration. Acting Attorney General Matthew Rodriquez succeeded him on an interim basis.

United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (2021–2025)

On March 19, 2021, Becerra was sworn in as the 25th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, following his nomination by President Joe Biden and confirmation by the United States Senate. He became the first Latino to serve as head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a cabinet-level position overseeing a sprawling federal agency responsible for public health policy, medical research, social services, and health insurance programs including Medicare and Medicaid.

Becerra's tenure at HHS coincided with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which dominated much of the department's work during his early months in office. His deputy secretary was Andrea Palm, who served alongside him throughout his term.

As HHS Secretary, Becerra was tasked with managing the federal government's public health infrastructure during a period of unprecedented challenges. The department under his leadership continued the national vaccination campaign, addressed public health disparities, and navigated the transition from emergency pandemic response to longer-term public health planning.

Becerra's predecessor was Alex Azar, who had served under President Donald Trump. Upon the conclusion of the Biden administration on January 20, 2025, Becerra left office and was succeeded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was appointed by President Donald Trump.

2026 California Gubernatorial Campaign

In April 2025, Becerra announced his candidacy for governor of California in the 2026 election, entering what has been described as a crowded field of candidates. Governor Gavin Newsom is term-limited and cannot seek reelection, creating an open race for the state's highest office.

Becerra has campaigned on his record of public service, emphasizing his working-class upbringing and his experience across multiple levels of government — from the California State Assembly to the U.S. Congress, the California attorney general's office, and the federal cabinet. In interviews, he has described the political moment as a "break-glass moment" for California residents.

Among his policy positions, Becerra has expressed support for California's independent redistricting process and has pledged to pursue single-payer healthcare in the state if elected governor. He has also spoken publicly on the topic of redistricting and democratic representation, participating in a conversation at UCLA's Luskin School of Public Affairs in late 2025 that addressed redistricting battles and the protection of democratic processes.

In November 2025, a Politico report examined the impact of a scandal-related investigation on Becerra's gubernatorial campaign. Although Becerra was not accused of wrongdoing in the investigation, the article noted that the story came at a time when Becerra was working to build momentum for his candidacy.

The June 2026 primary election will determine which candidates advance to the general election.

Personal Life

Becerra was born and raised in Sacramento, California. He has spoken publicly about his parents' influence on his values and his path to higher education as the first member of his family to attend college. His father was born in Sacramento, and his mother emigrated from Guadalajara, Mexico.

Becerra has maintained a public profile focused on his professional and political career. He is a member of the California State Bar.

In October 2025, Becerra publicly expressed his opposition to union-busting practices at Loyola Marymount University, joining other public figures in supporting workers represented by SEIU Local 721.

Recognition

Over the course of his career, Becerra has received recognition for his roles in government and his contributions to public service. His appointment as the first Latino Secretary of Health and Human Services marked a historic milestone in the representation of Latinos in the United States Cabinet.

In 2007, the Library of Congress appointed Becerra to serve on the James Madison Council, an advisory body to the Librarian of Congress composed of leaders from various fields.

Becerra's congressional career, which spanned twelve terms and included service in the highest Democratic leadership positions available to a House member, established him as one of the most prominent Latino political figures of his generation. His election as Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus in 2013 represented the highest-ranking leadership position held by a Latino member in the history of the caucus at that time.

His tenure as attorney general of California was marked by a high volume of legal actions directed at federal policies, establishing the California attorney general's office as a leading force in state-level legal challenges to executive branch actions during the Trump administration. His subsequent appointment to the Biden cabinet reflected the breadth of his career across legislative, legal, and executive roles.

Legacy

Xavier Becerra's career in public service spans nearly four decades and encompasses local, state, and federal government roles. His trajectory from a working-class Sacramento household to the highest levels of American government has made him a notable figure in the history of Latino political leadership in the United States.

As a member of the United States Congress for 24 years, Becerra was among the longest-serving Latino representatives and held leadership positions that increased the visibility of Latino politicians within the Democratic Party's institutional hierarchy. His tenure as Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus from 2013 to 2017 represented a significant marker in Latino political advancement within the legislative branch.

As attorney general of California, Becerra assumed a role that placed him at the center of legal confrontations between the nation's most populous state and the federal government, establishing legal precedents and generating national attention for the state's approach to challenging federal authority on a range of policy matters.

His service as Secretary of Health and Human Services during the COVID-19 pandemic placed him in a position of consequential responsibility during one of the most significant public health crises in modern American history. As the first Latino to hold the position, his appointment carried both policy and symbolic significance.

Becerra's entry into the 2026 California gubernatorial race represents the next chapter in a career that has traversed the full spectrum of American government. The outcome of that campaign will further shape his legacy in California and national politics.