Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra’s bid for California governor hit an awkward note this week when he immediately challenged a television reporter’s intentions at the start of a scheduled interview. The exchange, captured on camera, offered a rare glimpse into the tension that can simmer beneath the surface of political media appearances.
Sitting down with Nexstar affiliate KTLA’s Annie Rose Ramos for the “Inside California Politics” segment, Becerra, a Democrat and former state attorney general, opened with a pointed question: “By the way, this is a profile piece, this is not a gotcha piece, right?”
Ramos, visibly taken aback, replied, “Well, look, I think these questions are fair. It’s in order to learn about you as a candidate.” Becerra pressed further, saying, “So long it’s about the profile.”
The journalist pushed back, noting, “I don’t know how you define profile.” Becerra then offered his own definition: “The way I describe profile is you talk about all the things that I’ve done, things I want to do, and along with some tough questions, but not only tough questions.” Ramos quickly pivoted to questions about his plan to tackle homelessness in the state.
The moment drew sharp criticism from Tommy Vietor, a former Obama administration spokesperson, who wrote on X: “Politicians and candidates … let your staff have these whiny conversations! Or at least don’t do it on camera!”
The rest of the interview covered gas prices, affordability concerns, his tenure at HHS, and how he would work with the Trump administration if elected. The awkward start came on the heels of two California gubernatorial debates last week where Becerra became a prime target. During a CNN-hosted debate, he quipped, “I think everyone’s invoking my name. It’s nice to hear my name.”
Becerra’s polling numbers have risen after former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) exited the race last month amid sexual assault allegations. Swalwell, once a frontrunner, has denied wrongdoing but admitted to lapses in judgment. The scandal reshuffled the primary field to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).
Ballots are already out for the June 2 primary, where the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the November general election. According to Decision Desk HQ polling averages, Becerra sits in second place with 18.9 percent, trailing former Fox News host Steve Hilton (R). The candidates will face off one last time before the primary in a Thursday evening debate hosted by CBS News Bay Area in San Francisco.
This incident underscores the broader tensions in political journalism, where candidates increasingly question media motives. For more on how public officials navigate media scrutiny, see this report on a Utah senator’s heated exchange with a reporter. Meanwhile, Charlamagne Tha God’s recent interview with Dana White shows similar friction in sports politics.
