Xavier Becerra, a Democratic candidate for California governor and former Health and Human Services secretary under President Joe Biden, faced pointed criticism from rivals during Thursday night's debate after two of his former employees pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations the same day.
The guilty pleas involve Sean McCluskie, Becerra's former chief of staff, and Dana Williamson, a California political strategist. Both admitted to stealing $225,000 from an inactive campaign account that Becerra had used in a previous state-level bid. The withdrawals occurred between 2022 and 2024 in increments ranging from $7,500 to $10,000.
What the Left Is Saying
Fellow Democratic candidate Katie Porter, a former congresswoman, challenged Becerra's defense during the debate. "What the quote was, was that you had not been mentioned in the charging documents," Porter said. "But as you know, that does not preclude, because you are also a trained attorney, you know that does not preclude an indictment from being issued against you. We do not know what Dana Williamson said about your involvement, and the government will have the ability to reveal that later."
Becerra has denied any personal wrongdoing, issuing a statement ahead of Thursday's debate: "I did nothing wrong. Case closed." He also noted at the debate that he had not been named in the case.
Supporters argue that Becerra should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise and point to his decades of public service, including his tenure as California attorney general from 2017 to 2021 and his service in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2017. They contend the scandal involves former employees acting without his knowledge.
What the Right Is Saying
Steve Hilton, a Republican frontrunner in the crowded gubernatorial field, used the debate stage to call for Becerra's exit from the race. "Today we learned that he knew about illegal and improper payments from his campaign account to his former chief of staff," Hilton said.
"Honestly, it pains me to say because I like you personally, Xavier, but you shouldn't be on this stage. You shouldn't be in this race. You should be preparing your criminal defense," Hilton added.
Republican critics argue that Becerra's position as a frontrunner makes the scandal particularly damaging for California voters. They point to Federal Election Commission regulations prohibiting government employees from using campaign funds for expenses unrelated to elections or official duties, arguing that such violations strike at the heart of electoral integrity.
What the Numbers Show
The Department of Justice confirmed that McCluskie and Williamson stole $225,000 total from Becerra's inactive campaign account over a two-year period from 2022 to 2024. The money was withdrawn in increments between $7,500 and $10,000 per transaction.
Under FEC regulations, such withdrawals for personal use represent clear violations of federal campaign finance law. The guilty pleas carry potential sentencing implications, though no charges have been filed against Becerra himself.
The California primary is scheduled for June 2, with the top two candidates advancing to the general election on November 3. Becerra remains a Democratic frontrunner in a crowded field seeking to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The Bottom Line
Thursday's debate marked a significant escalation in the controversy surrounding Becerra's campaign. While he has not been charged and maintains his innocence, rivals from both parties used the guilty pleas to raise questions about his judgment and fitness for office.
What happens next will likely depend on whether federal prosecutors pursue additional charges against Becerra personally. The June 2 primary is approaching quickly, and voters will soon decide whether the scandal alters the race's trajectory. Political observers will be watching for any further revelations from Williamson or McCluskie's cooperation with investigators.