Xavier Becerra is a 67-year-old Democrat who served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services from 2021-2025 under President Biden, making him the first Latino in that role. He previously served as California Attorney General (2017-2021) and in the U.S. House of Representatives for 24 years (1993-2017). Born in Sacramento to immigrant parents (father in construction, mother in clerical work), Becerra is the first in his family to earn a college degree. He announced his 2026 gubernatorial campaign on April 2, 2025, positioning himself as a proven 'fighter' against Trump.