Xavier Becerra

Xavier Becerra is an American attorney and politician who served as a U.S. Representative for California's 34th congressional district from 1993 until 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Becerra has held various significant positions throughout his career, including serving as the 33rd Attorney General of California from 2017 to 2021 and as the 25th Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden from 2021 to 2025. Born to Mexican immigrant parents, Becerra's early life and education laid the foundation for his extensive career in public service and law.

Early life and career

Xavier Becerra was born on January 26, 1958, in Sacramento, California. He is the son of Maria Teresa and Manuel Guerrero Becerra. His father was born in the United States but raised in Tijuana, Mexico, while his mother hailed from Guadalajara, Jalisco. Becerra grew up in a modest one-room apartment with his three sisters, which instilled in him a strong work ethic and a commitment to education. He graduated from C.K. McClatchy High School in 1976 and went on to study abroad at the University of Salamanca in Spain from 1978 to 1979.

Becerra earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Stanford University in 1980, becoming the first member of his family to graduate from college. He continued his education at Stanford Law School, where he received his Juris Doctor in 1984 and was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1985.

Following his graduation, Becerra began his legal career working on cases involving individuals with mental disorders at the Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts. He returned to California in 1986 to serve as an administrative assistant for Democratic State Senator Art Torres of Los Angeles. Subsequently, he worked as a deputy attorney general in the California Department of Justice under Attorney General John Van de Kamp from 1987 to 1990.

Becerra's political career began in earnest when he ran for the California State Assembly in 1992. He successfully defeated Marta Maestas, a former aide to the incumbent assemblymember, in the Democratic primary and went on to win the general election against Republican Lee Lieberg and Libertarian Steven Pencall, securing approximately 60% of the vote. He served one term in the State Assembly, representing California's 59th district from 1990 to 1992.

House tenure

Xavier Becerra was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992, winning the Democratic primary in California's 30th congressional district with a plurality of 32% of the vote. In the general election, he defeated Republican nominee Morry Waksberg with a substantial margin, receiving 58% of the vote. Becerra was re-elected to a second term in 1994, where he garnered 66% of the vote. Following the 2000 census, his district was renumbered as the 31st district, and after further redistricting ahead of the 2012 elections, he represented the newly established 34th district, where he won re-election against Republican Stephen Smith with a significant majority.

During his tenure in the House, Becerra was an active member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, serving as its chair during the 105th Congress. He held various leadership roles, including being appointed as assistant to the Speaker of the House for the 110th Congress. He was elected vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus in the 111th Congress and successfully ran for re-election to that position in the 112th Congress. Becerra served as chair of the House Democratic Caucus from 2013 until the end of his tenure in 2017.

Legislative focus and committees

Throughout his time in the House of Representatives, Becerra was involved in various legislative issues and served on several important committees. He was a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, where he participated in subcommittees focused on oversight, health, and social security. Additionally, he was part of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, which aimed to address the national deficit.

Becerra's legislative focus included issues related to health care, social justice, and civil rights. He was known for his strong support of abortion rights, voting against measures that sought to impose penalties on sex-selective abortions. His advocacy extended to health care access, where he argued for the inclusion of birth control services under the Affordable Care Act, emphasizing the need for comprehensive health care for all individuals.

In his role as a legislator, Becerra also addressed issues concerning the criminalization of pregnant women. He urged the California Supreme Court to reconsider a murder charge against a woman whose stillbirth was linked to drug use, arguing that the state's murder statute was intended to protect pregnant women from violence rather than criminalize them for the outcomes of their pregnancies.

Becerra's contributions to the House of Representatives were marked by his commitment to representing the interests of his constituents and advocating for policies that aligned with his values as a member of the Democratic Party. His tenure concluded on January 24, 2017, when he was appointed by California Governor Jerry Brown to serve as the Attorney General of California, succeeding Kamala Harris after her election to the U.S. Senate.

Xavier Becerra's career reflects a dedication to public service, legal advocacy, and a commitment to addressing the needs of diverse communities in California and beyond.