SAN FRANCISCO — Democrat Xavier Becerra is making experience the central argument of his campaign for California governor, promising to expand housing opportunities, protect health care and secure the state’s share of federal funding.
But in a one-on-one interview with ABC7, the former California attorney general and U.S. health secretary offered few specifics about the tax changes he would pursue or how he would require California’s growing artificial intelligence industry to invest more in the state.
“The governor’s office doesn’t come with training wheels,” Becerra said. “You need someone who knows how to do this stuff, and it helps to have someone with experience.”
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Becerra held a 25-percentage-point lead over Republican Steve Hilton in September’s Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll, with 58% support among likely voters compared with Hilton’s 33%.
“Well, I hope to be able to do things differently,” he said. “I certainly will be a different governor.”
He pointed to his work in Congress, state government and the federal government as preparation for the job.
Health care and taxes
ABC7 asked Becerra how he would protect Californians enrolled in Medi-Cal while balancing the state budget amid federal health care cuts.
Becerra said he would work with Congress and the administration to preserve services, examine which state programs deliver better health outcomes and eliminate those that do not. He did not identify specific programs he would cut.
Becerra opposes Proposition 40, billionaire-tax initiative on November’s ballot, though he said he understands the frustration behind it.
“I’m not a supporter of it, but I understand the sentiment, and I do believe that we need to have everyone, including billionaires in California, pay their fair share,” he said.
Asked whether he would explore another mechanism to tax billionaires, Becerra cited his experience on the House Ways and Means Committee, which handles tax policy. He did not identify a specific alternative.
What should California get from AI?
Becerra also discussed his suggestion that Californians should have an ownership stake in the industries shaping the state’s future.
“It doesn’t have to be an actual share,” Becerra said, suggesting investments in schools and health care as possible ways for communities to benefit.
ABC7 asked whether taxes paid by those companies already support those services through California’s general fund. Becerra argued that current tax collections do not match the wealth California helps those industries create, but did not explain how he would structure an additional contribution.
Asked how he would prepare for a potential AI bust and its consequences for state revenue, Becerra emphasized maintaining California’s other economic engines, including entertainment, bioscience and agriculture. He did not outline a specific budget contingency plan.
Housing among his first priorities
Becerra said increasing housing construction would be among his priorities during his first 100 days.
He proposed a deadline for issuing homebuilding permits, arguing that delays drive up construction costs. He did not specify how long that deadline would be.
He also pledged to expand down-payment assistance and address competition from Wall Street buyers.
“I’m going to expand down payment assistance programs so that you could actually buy a house,” he said.
Working with — and challenging — Trump
If elected, Becerra would take office with two years remaining in President Donald Trump’s term.
Asked how he would respond to federal funding cuts, Becerra said he would pursue California’s share of funding through both cooperation and litigation.
“Whether it’s constructively or in the courts, we’re going to fight to get our fair share,” he said. “We’re not asking for more than our fair share.”
Becerra framed his experience as a reason voters should trust his promises.
“What I intend to do is make sure that I launch an effort to keep California buzzing based on what I’ve done, what I’ve delivered, so I don’t have to make these inflated promises and cannot then deliver,” he said.
California voters will choose between Becerra and Hilton in the Nov. 3 election.
