Becerra gains momentum in California governor's race

Xavier Becerra, a Democrat who served as former President Joe Biden’s Health and Human Services secretary, is gaining new traction in California’s crowded race for governor. His catapult to the top tier came after former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s epic fall from grace earlier this month following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. Becerra had been stuck in the low single digits as he sought to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) in a race that at one point featured as many as 60 candidates. Swalwell’s departure reshaped the field, injecting new momentum into Becerra’s campaign and boosting his fundraising. His team says it has pulled ..