Becerra denial – Xavier Becerra faced a sharp barrage at a California governor debate after two former campaign aides pleaded guilty to siphoning money from a Becerra-linked inactive campaign account, prompting rivals to argue he should be disqualified. Becerra denied any wron
By the time the debate turned to campaign money, Xavier Becerra looked cornered—especially after the same day two former employees admitted to stealing from an inactive campaign account tied to his past bids.
The attacks landed after Sean McCluskie. Becerra’s former chief of staff. and California political strategist Dana Williamson pleaded guilty to stealing $225. 000 from an out-of-use campaign account that Becerra had used to previously pursue a state-level office.. Prosecutors said McCluskie and Williamson withdrew payments in increments of $7,500 to $10,000 from Becerra’s “war chest” between 2022 and 2024.
Questions quickly followed about whether Becerra knew about the scheme or aided it—an allegation opponents framed as a direct breach of federal restrictions that prohibit using campaign funds for expenses unrelated to election or official duties.
At Thursday’s debate. Steve Hilton—a Republican frontrunner in the crowded field—told Becerra that knowledge of the payments should end his bid for governor.. “Today we learned that he knew about illegal and improper payments from his campaign account to his former chief of staff. ” Hilton said.. He added: “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.”
Becerra struck back with a narrow line of defense: he denied wrongdoing and emphasized he had not been named.. Ahead of Thursday night’s debate, he said in a statement: “I did nothing wrong.. Case closed.” During the event. he pressed that point again. arguing that his rivals’ claims were not supported by the fact pattern in the legal case against his former aides.
Fellow Democratic candidate Katie Porter challenged that approach, focusing on what does and does not appear in charging documents.. “What the quote was, was that you had not been mentioned in the charging documents,” Porter remarked.. “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. ” she continued.. She also said: “We do not know what Dana Williamson said about your involvement. and the government will have the ability to reveal that later.”
That sharp exchange played out against a wider political backdrop that already placed Becerra under intense scrutiny as a Democratic frontrunner to replace outgoing California Gov.. Gavin Newsom.. The California primary is scheduled for June 2, and the top two candidates will advance to a general election on Nov.. 3.
The day’s timeline matters: guilty pleas landed the same day as the debate. and the central dispute in the arena quickly narrowed to whether Becerra’s role is captured by the case itself—Hilton argued knowledge should disqualify him. while Becerra leaned on the absence of his name. and Porter pointed out that not being named is not a guarantee the story ends there.
Becerra’s standing with voters is complicated further by his political résumé and the office he held when the broader political environment was unfolding.. He served as Health and Human Services secretary, advising President Joe Biden during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2021 to 2025.. He began his political career as deputy attorney general of California. served in the California State Assembly from 1990 to 1992. held a seat in the U.S.. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2017, served as California attorney general from 2017 to 2021, and was tapped to lead HHS.
As the debate ended, the conflict remained unresolved in public: Becerra insisted “Case closed” while rivals demanded a decisive reckoning, and Porter underscored the continuing uncertainty over what others in the case may have said about involvement.
Xavier Becerra California governor debate campaign finance scandal Sean McCluskie Dana Williamson $225 000 Steve Hilton Katie Porter Gavin Newsom June 2 primary Nov. 3 general election