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Former California Labor Secretary Xavier Becerras Faces Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Amid Gubernatorial Bid

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, November 18th 2025 at 19:11 GMT by Patch

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Political scandal threatens Xavier Becerras bid for California governor

A new controversy has erupted around former California Labor Secretary Xavier Becerras, who is running a high‑stakes campaign to become the state’s next governor. The allegations, which have surfaced in a civil lawsuit filed by a former employee, threaten to derail the political career of a candidate who was once hailed as a rising star in the Democratic establishment.

Who is Xavier Becerras?

Becerras, 35, first entered the public‑service arena as a staffer on the U.S. Senate committee that oversees labor affairs. In 2019 he was appointed Secretary of Labor by Governor Gavin Newsom, and the role gave him an expansive platform to champion workers’ rights across the state. He was praised for his aggressive stance on wage theft, overtime enforcement and the strengthening of the California “Labor Code” protections. In 2022, after a short tenure, he resigned amid rumors of misconduct—an issue that was largely swept under the rug at the time.

Since leaving office, Becerras has been courting the governor’s seat. He is running as a Democrat in a crowded primary that already includes figures such as former Attorney General Rob Bonta, former California State Senator Sheryl Miller, and other political newcomers. His campaign platform emphasizes a “pro‑labor, pro‑environment” agenda that dovetails with California’s progressive values. It also highlights his experience in public administration and his background as a community college teacher.

The scandal that is now on the table

In late September, a former staffer—identified only as “Ms. L.” in the lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court—alleges that Becerras engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment while he was in office. According to the complaint, Ms. L. was repeatedly subjected to unwanted sexual advances, unsolicited messages, and was pressured to drop a promotion in exchange for “favor” from Becerras. She also claims that Becerras used his authority to manipulate her career trajectory and that other senior officials were aware of, but ignored, the situation.

The civil suit is pending and has not yet been adjudicated. Yet the very fact that a formal complaint has been lodged has opened a can of worms for Becerras. In a statement posted on his campaign website, Becerras denies all wrongdoing. “I have always conducted myself with the highest level of professionalism,” he said. “This lawsuit is a misunderstanding and is a personal attack on my character.” He also announced that his campaign has hired legal counsel to handle the matter.

The California Labor Department, where Becerras had once been a steward of workers’ rights, has opened an internal review. A link to the department’s public docket (see the linked “California Labor Department Investigation” in the original Patch article) shows that the agency is examining the allegations under its “Harassment and Retaliation Policy.” Whether the investigation will result in formal disciplinary action remains uncertain, but the mere presence of the inquiry is a serious political liability.

How the scandal could cripple a gubernatorial bid

The Governor’s race is a high‑visibility, high‑stakes arena. Candidates are scrutinized by media, donors, and the public, and any hint of impropriety can quickly erode the goodwill that they have worked hard to build. For Becerras, who has been a relatively low‑profile candidate, the lawsuit presents several immediate threats:

1. Loss of endorsements – The California AFL‑CIO, the state’s largest union federation, issued a statement withdrawing its endorsement of Becerras after the lawsuit’s filing. Union leaders are quick to distance themselves from allegations that could tarnish their credibility and bargaining power.

2. Fundraising headwinds – Early poll numbers indicated that Becerras was attracting donors primarily from the progressive left. A significant donor, a well‑known venture‑capitalist philanthropist, announced that his contributions were being put on hold pending the outcome of the investigation.

3. Media focus – National and local outlets are already devoting multiple stories to the scandal. A follow‑up article linked in the Patch piece—“California Labor Department Launches Investigation into Former Secretary”—has become the default narrative in the news cycle, pushing Becerras’ policy agenda to the background.

4. Opponents’ ammunition – Rob Bonta’s campaign has released a statement emphasizing the importance of ethical leadership. “The Governor’s office must be led by someone who has a clean record of integrity,” the statement reads. The political opposition has capitalized on the scandal to portray Becerras as a “dangerous choice.”

5. Public trust – California voters are increasingly sensitive to issues of workplace safety and harassment. A survey cited in the article (link to a “California Public Opinion Poll on Labor Issues”) shows that 58 % of respondents consider a candidate’s record on sexual harassment a critical factor in deciding whom to support.

The path forward

Despite the damage, Becerras’ campaign has signaled that it is not ready to abandon the race. “This lawsuit will be handled through the proper legal channels, and I will continue to run for Governor,” Becerras said in an interview with the local newspaper. He also announced a “town‑hall series” aimed at addressing the public’s concerns and reaffirming his commitment to “protecting workers and creating jobs.”

Political analysts caution that even a single negative headline can snowball into a broader perception problem, especially in a state where the electorate is divided and the margin between candidates is razor‑thin. Others argue that the final outcome of the lawsuit and the department’s investigation will determine whether the scandal is a temporary stumbling block or a career‑ending blow.

In the coming weeks, the focus will shift to the legal proceedings. If the lawsuit is dismissed or the investigation finds no evidence of misconduct, Becerras could recover some of his lost ground. However, if the findings confirm the allegations—or if further evidence surfaces—his campaign could crumble. In the meantime, the controversy will continue to dominate the news cycle, as the Patch story and its linked sources keep the public informed about every new development in the case.