California Gov. Gavin Newsom and gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra met recently at Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, a meeting where they discussed a range of policy issues including healthcare, housing, the economy, small businesses, abortion, and climate change. Newsom's team also stated they discussed the Trump administration during their first meeting since the June primary election.
Newsom shared photos of the meeting on X, showing the two Democrats shaking hands and conversing at the restaurant, which is known for its Yucatan cuisine and margaritas. The images depicted only two glasses of water on their table, and it remains unclear if they ate. Newsom captioned the post, "Focused on the work. Committed to the people." Becerra echoed the sentiment, writing, "We’ve fought side by side for California families — and together, we’re going to keep this state moving forward."
Becerra is considered Newsom's most likely successor. Newsom, who is term-limited and has expressed interest in a 2028 presidential run, has endorsed Becerra, who is the former Health and Human Services chief under President Joe Biden. Becerra is currently facing Republican Steve Hilton in the general election.
The meeting drew criticism from the California Republican Party, which posted on X that the event was a "manufactured photo op with do-nothing, all-talk politicians." The party added that "Californians are tired of manufactured photo ops with do-nothing, all-talk politicians while our state gets more expensive and worse to live in."