Xavier Becerra’s election as California’s next governor marks a historic milestone for the state’s Latino community. But his victory also carries a deeply personal connection to the border region: his family’s roots trace back to Tijuana and Mexico.
Becerra won the gubernatorial race with 65.2% of the vote, defeating Republican candidate Steve Hilton and extending the Democratic Party’s leadership in California to 16 consecutive years.
A Family Story That Connects California and Tijuana
Although Becerra was born and raised in the United States, his family’s history is closely tied to Mexico.
His father, Manuel Guerrero Becerra, was born in Sacramento but grew up in Tijuana. His mother, María Teresa, immigrated from Jalisco. Their experiences helped shape Becerra’s connection to immigrant families and the Latino and binational communities that make up a significant part of California.
His father’s life also reflected the challenges faced by Mexican immigrants and Mexican Americans. He worked physically demanding jobs, including harvesting vegetables, canning tomatoes for Campbell’s, repairing railroad cars and building roads.
Manuel Guerrero Becerra also experienced discrimination firsthand. When he returned to California, some restaurants denied him service, displaying signs that read:
“No dogs or Mexicans allowed.”
These experiences form part of the family history behind the governor-elect’s connection to the border community.
California’s First Latino Governor in More Than 150 Years
Becerra’s victory represents a milestone in California’s political history. He is set to become the state’s first Latino governor in more than 150 years, bringing renewed attention to Latino representation in American political leadership.
During his victory speech, Becerra also addressed some of the priorities he emphasized during his campaign, particularly the rising cost of living and the financial challenges facing California families.
“California is exceptional, but it is also far from perfect. We have a lot of work to do together,” he said. “Despite all our prosperity, economic security remains out of reach for too many of our families.”
His election was part of a broader series of Democratic victories across the country, including races for governor and seats in Congress.
For communities on both sides of the border, Becerra’s rise to California’s highest office carries a particular significance: a political milestone shaped, in part, by a family history that began in Mexico.
