Updated: April 2 at 2:57 p.m. ET
The top health official from President Joe Biden's cabinet is running to become the next governor of California.
Xavier Becerra, who served as Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, had long been rumored likely to jump into the race, even if Biden won reelection. If elected, he would succeed Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.
In his announcement video, Becerra noted the affordability crisis affecting Americans, his support for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), his litigative efforts against President Donald Trump and the negotiation of lower prescription drug prices with drug manufacturers.
Becerra was a public defender of the Affordable Care Act during his time in Congress and as HHS Secretary. He also served as California Attorney General from 2017 to 2021.
In recent days, he has criticized moves by the new administration, blasting Trump over the firing of probationary workers and lambasting HHS' reductions in force.
"It's hard to make sense of the HHS cuts," he said recently. "This has the makings of a manmade disaster."
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly eyeing a run for California Governor as well, and would be considered a favorite should she enter the race. Other candidates for the office, like former Rep. Katie Porter, have indicated they may drop out of the race if Harris decides to run.
Harris lost to Trump in the presidential election last November after stepping in for Biden late in the race.
The news of Becerra's governorship bid was first reported by Politico.
Updated: April 10, 2024
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra is reportedly monitoring the possibility of running for governor of California in two years, leaving his role in President Biden's Cabinet to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom when his term ends.
Sources close with Becerra say the secretary has had conversations with Democratic officials about leaving the administration after the November general election to run for political office in the Golden State, Politico reported Tuesday night.
HHS has not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.
In recent weeks, Becerra has defended health priorities within Biden's budget and withstood questions from Congress on the Change Healthcare debacle.
Becerra is the first Latino to serve as HHS secretary. In Congress, he was one of the original co-sponsors of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), traveling the country for President Joe Biden defending the administration's actions in protecting and bolstering the landmark legislation.
He then served as California attorney general from 2017 to 2021 before narrowly being approved by the Senate as HHS secretary by a vote of 50-49. As attorney general, he was known for a successful $575 million lawsuit against Sutter Health, standing by the ACA, defending access to birth control and taking on pharma companies.
It's not expected Biden would retain Becerra as HHS secretary even if he wins reelection, and it's unlikely Becerra would want to continue if asked, the report said.