Biden Breaks Silence on California Governor Race
President Biden is remaining neutral in California's gubernatorial primary despite Xavier Becerra's prominent role in his administration, a notable departure from his endorsements in other states.
The decision represents a notable departure from Biden’s approach in other high-profile contests. Ron Klain, Biden’s former White House chief of staff, explained the rationale to the New York Times, stating that Biden is a fan of Becerra but has relationships with other candidates in the race as well. Klain confirmed that Biden intends to remain neutral through the June 2 primary election.
The move has been interpreted by observers as a conspicuous snub of Becerra, who has emerged as a leading contender among Democrats. After progressive billionaire Tom Steyer and Republican Steve Hilton—who currently leads several polls—Becerra stands as a serious candidate in the crowded field.
Biden has shown no such restraint elsewhere. The former president has already endorsed former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia and former White House adviser Dan Koh in Massachusetts, making the California silence particularly conspicuous.
Becerra’s campaign has faced mounting challenges beyond Biden’s hesitation. Neither California Governor Gavin Newsom nor former Vice President Kamala Harris has endorsed him, raising questions about his standing within Democratic circles. His tenure heading HHS drew criticism for management decisions, particularly regarding delays in processing migrant children at the southern border.
Following a recent CNN debate, former Justice Department spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa characterized Becerra as ineffective in government. Former White House COVID response coordinator Ashish Jha defended him, noting the challenges inherent in the role despite internal White House tensions.
With information from New York Post
