Elias: Becerra may have to drop out of race for California governor

"Before this month's arrests of former top state aides, it was a foregone conclusion that at least one or two Democrats would have to drop out of the ongoing run for California governor just to ensure there will be no Republican-on-Republican runoff next Nov. 3. However, the dropouts until now did not figure to include Xavier Becerra, a former California attorney general and later a U.S. health secretary in the cabinet of former President Joe Biden."

"His onetime top aide, Sean McCluskie, is charged with sending fake bills to a dormant Becerra campaign bank account, along with Dana Williamson, a former top assistant to current Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Govs. Jerry Brown and Gray Davis. Becerra was not implicated in trying to extract funds from his inactive campaign account, which can possibly be used in the future for his political purposes. His lack of acumen as a judge of the aide's character, though, may weaken him sufficiently to drive him out of the current race."

Arrests of former top state aides have injected scandal into the California governor's race and increased pressure on candidates. Sean McCluskie and Dana Williamson face charges for sending fake bills to a dormant Xavier Becerra campaign account. Becerra was not accused of attempting to extract funds, but the episode highlights potential weaknesses in his judgment of aides and could undermine his candidacy. Williamson is also indicted for falsely billing the inactive account and claiming business-expense writeoffs for an expensive vacation, a private airplane flight and a $10,000 luxury purse. Early polling placed Becerra tied for third at about eight percent.

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