Now that disgraced former Congressman Eric Swalwell has dropped out of the race for California governor, the high-profile contest kicked into another gear Tuesday as the speaker of the State Assembly, Robert Rivas, officially endorsed fellow Democrat Xavier Becerra, who previously served as Joe Biden’s Health and Human Services secretary.
The endorsement is prompting concern among those on the political right, including Hollywood actor and activist James Woods, who says “Becerra just might actually have the ability to drag [California] into the depths of hell.”
Rivas released a video endorsement for Becerra, saying: “California is under threat. Everyday, the Trump administration is coming after our healthcare, our families, and our values. There’s no time to learn on the job. We need a governor who’s ready to fight back on Day One. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Xavier Becerra for Governor.”
California is under threat. Everyday, the Trump Administration is coming after our healthcare, our families, and our values. There’s no time to learn on the job. We need a governor who’s ready to fight back on Day One. That’s why I’m proud to endorse @XavierBecerra for Governor. pic.twitter.com/YzBKnXMYvi
— Speaker Robert Rivas (@CASpeakerRivas) April 21, 2026
“As California’s attorney general, he sued the Trump administration 122 times. He defended Obamacare,” Rivas added.
The endorsement caught the attention of Steve Hilton, the leading Republican in the race, who said: “Now it’s official: if you want another four years of the one party rule that gave us the highest poverty rate, highest unemployment rate and highest cost of living in America – Becerra is your guy. No thanks!”
Woods replied to Hilton’s remark, noting: “Steve, this guy is the absolute worst. Keep drilling his history and his platform. Hard to believe California could get worse than it is under [Gavin] Newsom, but this guy Becerra just might actually have the ability to drag it into the depths of hell.”
WorldNetDaily has reported numerous times on Becerra, including his goal to have taxpayers fund body-mutilations on children as well as targeting Christians and the unborn.
Other candidates still in the running among Democrats include Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Matt Mahan, Betty Yee, Antonio Villaraigosa, Tony Thurmond and a host of others.
Among the Republicans besides Hilton in the race are Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, broadcaster and WorldNetDaily writer Leo Zacky, and many others. (See the full list of certified candidates.)Â
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