Xavier Becerra is the front-runner to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom. Many Hispanic leaders hope he becomes the state’s first Latino governor since 1875. "I certainly am Latino, and I'm certainly proud of it," Becerra said. He is a Democrat and got strong support to win in the November election.
The table decorations at a Los Angeles event earlier this year told the story of the guest of honor, Xavier Becerra, a son of Mexican immigrants who has emerged as the front-runner to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom of California.
Colorful cards in the style of a Mexican lotería game represented his political rise, in Spanish, from El Congresista to El Fiscal General to El Secretario de Salud. The final card, El Gobernador, captured the hope of many of the Hispanic leaders at the event that Mr. Becerra would become California's first Latino governor since 1875.
Those leaders have been more animated about the potential milestone than the candidate himself has been.
"I certainly am Latino, and I'm certainly proud of it," Mr. Becerra said in an interview. "But identity has never been what has fueled my campaigns for office or public service."
Mr. Becerra, a Democrat, is an overwhelming favorite to defeat Steve Hilton, a Republican endorsed by President Trump, in November in this heavily Democratic state.
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