Democratic California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra started a new interview Tuesday by demanding the reporter ask him softball questions as well as “some tough” ones.
Becerra sat down with local news outlet KTLA for an interview on his campaign and the political issues that concern Californians, such as homelessness, affordability and gas prices. He opened by asking KTLA reporter Annie Rose Ramos if “this is a profile piece” rather than “a gotcha piece.” (RELATED: Democratic Strategist Doug Schoen Says GOP Might Have An Edge In California Governor’s Race)
Awkward moment kicks off KTLA interview with Xavier Becerra. @CaliforniaICP Full report: https://t.co/UcMXzidzrf pic.twitter.com/OViYkfTg3t
— KTLA (@KTLA) May 12, 2026
“Well, look, I think these questions are fair. It’s in order to learn about you as a candidate,” Ramos replied.
“So long it’s about the profile,” the candidate said.
“I don’t know how you define profile, but I’d like to begin the interview,” Ramos said.
Becerra replied, “The way I describe profile is you talk about all the things that I’ve done, things I want to do, and along with some tough questions. But not only tough questions.”
Tommy Vietor, a liberal podcaster and Obama alum, took a shot at Becerra, saying he shouldn’t have had the “whiny” conversation on camera.
Politicians and candidates…let your staff have these whiny conversations! Or at least don’t do it on camera! pic.twitter.com/4kK5GQRoCP
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) May 12, 2026
Later in the interview, Ramos noted that Becerra’s campaign website did not have a section on the state’s homelessness crisis and asked if he had a plan to fix it.
“Making sure we address the issue of accountability,” Becerra said. “If we’re sending billions of dollars into cities and counties from the state taxpayer dollars, we have to make sure that people see the results.”
“So who is delivering results? In your mind, what city in California is doing this right?” Ramos pressed.
“I don’t know if there’s any city I would tell you that’s doing it right. There are cities that are trying to do it, but when you still see that there are people living on the streets, you wonder, what can we do better?” he replied.
Ramos also questioned the governor on what specific steps he would take to lower gas prices, his track record as former President Joe Biden’s Health and Human Services secretary, criticism that he was an “invisible” cabinet member during the Biden administration and whether he will fight the Trump administration in the courts.
“What we’ll also do is work on the other side, because it’s not just about attack, attack, attack. We will defend ourselves as we must, but also work with them,” Becerra said.
Becerra is facing off against several Democrats in the primary, including former California Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire Tom Steyer. Democratic In April, California Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out of the race amid allegations of sexual assault.
Read the full article here
