Becerra Campaign Pays Daughter Over $17,000 for Policy Role

California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra’s campaign has paid his daughter, Clarisa Reyes-Becerra, more than $17,000 to work as a deputy policy director. Reyes-Becerra, an immigration attorney, joined her father's campaign as a paid staffer after the primary.

Her role involves developing campaign communication and briefing Becerra and other campaign members on policy issues ranging from healthcare to wildfire relief. Campaign spokesperson Jonathan Underland stated that Reyes-Becerra’s expertise as an attorney focused on immigration is valuable, especially in light of Republican challenger Steve Hilton’s stance on immigration policy. "We’re lucky to have her," Underland said.

Reyes-Becerra’s previous experience includes work at immigration-related organizations, such as serving as managing attorney at the California Immigration Project. She is also the vice chair of First 5 Monterey County, a state-funded commission that directs tobacco tax revenue toward early childhood programs.

Campaign finance records also show that Reyes-Becerra has been reimbursed for approximately $4,300 in travel expenses. While hiring family members for political campaigns is not illegal, the practice can raise ethical questions. According to Joshua Wurtzel, a partner at Schlam Stone & Dolan LLP, the key considerations are whether the work performed is commensurate with the pay and if the compensation is at market rate. He also noted that such arrangements can present an optics challenge for a candidate, potentially drawing accusations of nepotism.

Becerra, a former Health and Human Services secretary and state attorney general, is the leading Democratic candidate in the race against Republican Steve Hilton. His campaign has faced scrutiny for his relatively low public profile and limited press interactions since winning the primary. His two other children are not employed by the campaign.