February 12, 2026
After the 2025 Special Election, we will continue with a rather interesting political landscape: The California gubernatorial election will be on November 3, 2026. In that context, we interviewed former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, a lawyer by profession, Democrat, politician, and current candidate for governor of the Golden State.
In an interview with Alianza Metropolitan News, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra explained how his personal history would shape his administration as the future governor of California. His proposal is clear: to prevent the increase in the homeless population before families end up on the streets.
This interview with candidate Xavier Becerra was made possible by the Latino Media Collaborative Roundtable, chaired by Arturo Carmona. This important forum, part of a series of regular conversations on the most pressing issues facing the Latino community, allowed Becerra to share his vision of inclusive leadership, based on lived experience and ongoing dialogue with the people.
“To know where a leader is going, you have to know where he comes from.”
Calmly but firmly, Becerra answered our question in Spanish when we asked him how he differed from current Governor Gavin Newsom. He spoke not in terms of confrontation, but of background and experience.
“To know where a politician is going to take us, you have to know where they come from. My experiences are not those of Gavin Newsom. My father wasn’t a professional, but he worked hard all his life. My mother wasn’t born here, but she dedicated decades of work. So I bring with me the experiences of someone who didn’t have much, but learned to fight.”
The son of Mexican immigrants, Becerra was born and raised in Sacramento. His personal story—from a working-class family that prospered through effort and education—forms the basis of his political platform.
“I saw how hard my parents and the people in my community worked. That’s why, when I take on a position of power, I carry that experience with me: the experience of those who didn’t have opportunities, but never gave up.”
Homelessness crisis
When asked about the issue of homelessness, Becerra was categorical: it is not enough to build more shelters or allocate millions of dollars; action must be taken before people lose their homes.
“I don’t want to wait so long to take action. I want to focus on those who are working, those who still have a home but are on the verge of losing it because every day it becomes more difficult for them to pay the rent or the mortgage.”
His proposal focuses on a housing prevention policy based on direct assistance, emergency subsidies, and institutional coordination. “Millions and millions of dollars go to programs for cities and counties. We will continue to partner on that. But my biggest job will be to ensure that no Californian loses their home,” he replied.
Without a doubt, this is a huge challenge. The homelessness crisis in California has reached historic levels. In Santa Clara County, more than 10,000 people are currently living on the streets, sleeping in cars, tents, or under bridges. Three years ago, the number was 6,000. This trend is worrying local authorities and communities, who are witnessing how the cost of living and high rents, among other factors, are pushing more and more families onto the streets.
“We’re talking about people who work every day. They’re not lazy or criminals. They’re fathers, mothers, young people who do everything they can to keep a roof over their heads. If we don’t help them before they lose it, we’ll end up spending much more later,” Becerra warned.
Becerra emphasized the human dimension of the crisis. For him, governing involves listening, understanding, and acting with empathy.
“I want to communicate with our communities that have almost never had a seat at the table where decisions are made. I want those voices to be there, helping to build solutions,” he argued.
His leadership model is based on lived experience. “When I talk to families at risk of losing their homes, I remember my parents working tirelessly, not knowing if the money would be enough. That reality is never forgotten, and that’s why I will never stop fighting for those who are experiencing the same thing today,” he emphasized.
Xavier Becerra, if elected governor of California in 2026, doesn’t promise miracles, but he does promise concrete and early action. His vision for governance focuses on prevention and social awareness.
“If someone in California has a roof over their head, I want to make sure they don’t lose it while I’m governor,” he concluded.
The interview reveals a politician who prefers approachability over rhetoric, and prevention over reaction. In a state where technological wealth coexists with profound inequality, his proposal aims to close that gap at its root: protecting those who can still support their families before they become just another statistic.
