Xavier Becerra wins California governorship, Digi Mart USA News (California): Children of Mexican migrants are no longer only part of the American workforce; they are now reaching the highest levels of power. Xavier Becerra won the California governorship, breaking a political barrier that had stood since 1875.
The Democrat defeated Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and candidate backed by President Donald Trump. With this result, Becerra becomes the first Latino governor of the state in more than 150 years.
His victory carries political weight beyond the ballot box. California is one of the main territories of the Mexican community in the United States, where millions of families maintain economic, social and cultural ties with Mexico while facing the consequences of immigration policies.
Becerra knows that reality from home. He is the son of a construction worker and an office clerk who arrived in California in search of better opportunities.
During election day, the now governor-elect recalled his roots and vindicated his parents’ efforts.
He is no stranger to circles of power. Before running for governor, he served as Secretary of Health during the administration of Joe Biden, led the California Attorney General’s office and represented his state in the federal Congress.
Hilton’s defeat also represents a setback for the political sector that sought to gain ground in a traditionally Democratic state. His candidacy had Trump’s backing, a figure whose immigration policy has generated strong tensions with Latino communities.
From Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated the possibility that Becerra would reach the California government. She noted that around 40 million people of Mexican origin live in the United States and stressed the importance of their political representation.
However, a Mexican surname in the governorship alone does not solve migrants’ problems. The community will now have to judge the new governor by his decisions, his immigration policy and his capacity to respond to those who sustain much of the California economy.
The history has already been written at the ballot box. Now Becerra will have to demonstrate that he has not forgotten where he comes from, nor the families who made his rise to power possible.
