Overview
- Following Tuesday's CNN debate, former Biden DOJ spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa told a CNN panel she does not trust Xavier Becerra to lead and called him ineffective, drawing public pushback from Biden alumni Neera Tanden and Ron Klain.
- A California Democratic Party poll reported this week shows Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton tied at 18% support, signaling a two-front fight as the nonpartisan top-two primary approaches.
- Becerra rejected rivals’ claims about “lost” migrant children as political smears, even as a 2024 HHS inspector general report found the Office of Refugee Resettlement missed required sponsor checks and post-release safety calls for thousands of minors.
- Rivals also pressed a campaign finance controversy involving former aide Sean McCluskie, who is accused of stealing about $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign account, and Becerra said he had no knowledge of the alleged crimes.
- Coverage has split along partisan lines, with right-leaning outlets amplifying anonymous Biden officials’ doubts and debate attacks, while Becerra’s defenders highlight work on drug price negotiations, $35 insulin, and expanded health coverage as early voting begins.