SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown’s pick for attorney general, longtime Democratic Congressman Xavier Becerra, won the support of the Assembly Friday morning, moving one step closer to filling a key post left vacant by Kamala Harris’ election to the U.S. Senate.
Becerra, a Stanford graduate from Los Angeles, would be the first Latino to hold the position. His supporters described him as “a fighter” with insight into Washington who will use the law to defend California’s progressive policies on climate change, immigration, civil rights and other issues.
“Don’t mistake Congressman Becerra’s kindness for weakness,” said Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles, who vetted the nominee in a special committee hearing Tuesday. “He will be the tip of the spear for us in California.”
Becerra, who long ago served a term in the Assembly, received 56 votes — far more than the 41 he needed. But the support was split along party lines, with 23 lawmakers voting against the appointment. Despite the nominee’s friendly banter at Tuesday’s hearing with Republican James Gallagher, of Yuba City, Gallagher voted “no.” He cited differences over religious liberty and immigration and doubted Becerra’s willingness to crack down on felons who re-enter the country illegally after being deported — a hot-button issue that Congress is expected to take up soon.
Still, Gallagher said, he found Becerra to be “a nice guy” who was qualified for the position. “During the hearing he offered to buy me beers,” he said, adding, “I’ll likely take him up on that.”
The lone Republican to vote “yes” was Rocky Chavez, R-Oceanside. He issued a statement saying he found no ethical or moral reasons to vote against the appointment.
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by Katy Murphy
