California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra appeared reluctant to endorse Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, even as she stood beside him, when pressed by a reporter to explain why voters should reelect her. In a clip aired by NBC4, Becerra was asked to support Bass, who is currently in a tight reelection battle against City Councilwoman Nithya Raman.
Becerra's response was to encourage people to vote. "Well I hope people just go out and vote, that’s the most important thing," he said. When pressed further, noting that Bass was standing with him and not Raman, Becerra still stopped short of an explicit endorsement. "Well, Karen Bass and I go way way back. We have known each other for a long long time and we served together in Congress," Becerra stated. He added, "You know politics is one thing, friendships are another thing and I hope folks recognize that you can have friendships that far exceed whatever goes on in politics."
The exchange occurred as Bass and Raman are locked in a close race for Los Angeles mayor. A recent Berkeley IGS/Los Angeles Times poll showed the two candidates tied at 40% support, a significant shift after an earlier poll indicated Raman leading by 11 percentage points.
Bass's campaign has focused on addressing homelessness, expanding affordable housing, and improving public safety, highlighting her "Inside Safe" initiative. Raman, conversely, has proposed a more assertive strategy for homelessness, aiming to reduce encampments by at least 50% before the 2028 Olympics, and has emphasized housing affordability, tenant protections, and fiscal accountability.
The situation also drew commentary from former mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, who criticized Becerra's response. "This is hilariously awkward. Xavier Basura is standing next to Karen Basura and refuses to endorse her, even after being pressed multiple times. He can’t even look at anyone. LMAO That’s your sister from another mister, Xavier!" Pratt posted on social media.
Becerra, a former California attorney general and U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services, is running for governor against Republican Steve Hilton. Recent polls indicate Becerra holds a substantial lead in that race.