CHIRLA Action Fund endorses Xavier Becerra for California governor

“Meet my family,” said candidate for California governor Xavier Becerra on Monday morning, looking at the people surrounding him during his official endorsement by the Coalition for Humane Rights in Los Angeles (CHIRLA) Action Fund.

“Because if you want to be governor of the state of California, you have to treat everyone like family, from the wealthiest to the hardest workers,” he said. “They all have a place in California, and when you give them a place, they work their hearts out.” 

The decision was made public after candidates interviewed with over 200 CHIRLA Action Fund leaders from across the state. Many of them are new voters or citizens wanting to compare which ideas align more with each candidate. 

“Over 60% of the attendees voted in support of Xavier Becerra to be our next California governor,” said Angelica Salas, president of the Fund.

A week later, the CHIRLA Action Fund board members met and they unanimously supported Becerra’s endorsement.  

Becerra has served as a California Assembly member, a California member of U.S. Congress, the California Attorney General during Trump's first administration, and the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services during the Biden administration. 

“In each of these positions, he has delivered for working Californians and for communities. In every position, he has respected immigrants as people who contribute to our great state,” Salas said. “So we are here today to make our endorsement public and to announce that we will work hard to get him elected on June 2, 2026, for the primary and then on to November,” Salas said. 

Voters who support him

First-time voters like Juan Hilario from the city of Modesto said choosing the right candidate for governor revolves around their promises and plans. 

Hilario said he has lived in the Central Valley since 1999 and he is interested in a candidate who shows support and understanding of the immigrant community and the needs of their children.

“If there were more resources for students, we would not need to resort to options like joining the military, like myself,” he said.  

Elias Guerrero from the Antelope Valley, who volunteers for the Get out the Vote campaign, is a recent high school graduate and in June, he will be voting for the first time in the governor’s race. 

He said he attended the CHIRLA Action Fund forum, where the candidates were interviewed and he was very impressed by Becerra’s extensive experience in various sectors of government. 

“When I learned that as Attorney General of California, he fought to defend our community, including protecting the DACA program, I was moved by his accomplishments,” Guerrero said. 

He also said the future governor must be able to create safe schools, churches and hospitals again, since they have been used by federal immigration agents to terrorize communities. 

“I would also like to see our governor pay special attention to women's health care, especially those who don't have full coverage. This means that health programs should be fully funded,” he said. 

Zayda Barajas, a former DACA recipient, recognized the work Becerra did when he stepped up in favor of undocumented youth. In 2017, during the first Trump administration, DACA was canceled and it was then Attorney General Becerra who stepped up to sue the federal government. The program allowed current beneficiaries to renew, but stopped accepting new applications. 

“My sister and I were able to renew our program, our DACA, thanks to his efforts and those [who] stood up for what is right,” she said. “I am now a legal resident and have hopes that one day, all immigrants have an opportunity to obtain legal status with a pathway to citizenship. The community needs leaders like Mr. Becerra so that he can continue to stand up for justice and for working-class people.” 

A winning community

After hearing the voters' testimonies and reasons why they support him, Becerra said this is what winning looks like: being supported by those who believe in California and know they can raise their families in the Golden State.

“So if I am governor, I'm bringing my family. They are coming with me because I got here because of them,” Becerra said, thanking the organization for their support.