California Gubernatorial Candidate Xavier Becerra’s Town Hall Meeting in Sacramento

By Ras H. Siddiqui

After the quick implosion of Eric Swalwell’s candidacy for Governor of California, the frontrunner amongst the Democrats in this race appears to be former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, former US Congressman and California Attorney General,  Xavier Becerra. He is a local Sacramento native who currently has the edge over fellow Democrat Tom Steyer.

Republican Steve Hilton who is also sometimes reported to be in the lead could be in second place. But then again, can one really trust the polls? The primary election in California is to be held on June 2 nd and is open to all who qualify (and pay the almost $5,000 filing fee). Over fifty candidates are on the ballot including Pakistani American Mohmmad Arif.

The main election in November will only allow the top two vote getters to run irrespective of their party affiliation. So, if there are no further surprises we may see a Becerra vs Steyer all Democrat race or a Becerra vs Hilton or Steyer vs Hilton race which will be a Democrat vs Republican contest. Last-minute surprises could still change this scenario too.

For those not aware, Hispanics are the largest ethnic community in California and amongst them the majority are Mexican Americans and those born in the United States are sometimes referred to as Chicanos. Xavier Becerra is from this community and is urging them to vote for him in this election. 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 to mid-1900s and married into the local Mexican community. Before Asian Exclusion (which incrementally ended with the 1952 McCarran-Walter Act and eventually opened immigration to all with the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965), the South Asian men who came here could not own land in California, but their Mexican wives could. And since skin pigment control was still in play at the time these “Brown” marriages were allowed. That and other common attributes helped, as both communities were involved in farming the land and had some dietary similarities (tortillas and chapatis) which clinched the deal.

This 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 Pakistani Americans 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 Silicon  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, a huge factor in this gubernatorial race, held a town hall meeting at The Nest in Yosemite Hall at the campus of Sacramento State University on Monday, May 11, 2026, which this writer attended. This was familiar home ground for him as Becerra was amongst his family, friends, and community. No lofty promises were made, just a low intensity message which was well received. It was the opposite of the  Eric Swalwell rally in Sacramento 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. Representing the Salinas area, 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 them himself.

Candidate Becerra was at ease on stage 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 also wanted to give the event a family feel and started with a few words in Spanish and asked if there were any moms in the house. He then proceeded to share Mother’s Day greetings with all including his mother present. He also requested everyone to vote early and not wait till June 2 nd.

Becerra addressed the Labor in the house (there were several orange T-Shirts and hard hats here) and recognized all union members present. He added that unions have had a major hand in building California and that his father retired as a proud member. We will win if (you) people go out and vote, he said. He added that the campaign may get ugly in the last few weeks. They are coming after me because they are afraid of you, he said. 

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. Availability of mental health care was also addressed along with the need for people to have a roof over their head. Becerra said that helping people who are living somewhere and must leave after being hit by a medical emergency or after 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. Protection of Proposition 98 funding and emphasis on reducing class sizes were mentioned by  Bacerra as ways to remedy that situation. And on housing and rising rents, he said that while paying rent, one is paying someone else but paying a similar amount towards a mortgage and buying a home, leads to developing personal wealth. He said that he would promote more down payment assistance as this is what often separates a renter from a homeowner. Bacerra added that this election is about the next generation staying in California and owning a home. And he reiterated that healthcare is a right and not a privilege.

In conclusion, is California ready for a “Becerra Era” soon? We will find that out in November. And within a day or two after the June 2 nd primary we should know who the two gubernatorial candidates will be in the general election. But while we are waiting let us get out and vote!