Former Biden cabinet secretary and California gubernatorial frontrunner Xavier Becerra is facing scrutiny on two separate fronts — an anonymous complaint accusing him of violating California campaign finance laws and a fresh $500,000 boost from a major oil producer backing his run for governor.
The two issues are unrelated, and there is no allegation that accepting oil industry money violated campaign finance law.
But the developments have intensified attacks on Becerra from rivals already seeking to paint the former attorney general as too close to corporate interests as the June primary nears.
The campaign finance controversy centers on allegations that Becerra improperly used a dormant attorney general campaign account after leaving office to join former President Joe Biden’s administration as secretary of Health and Human Services, the Sacramento Bee reported.
Becerra’s inactive attorney general campaign committee allegedly paid more than $74,000 to longtime adviser Dana Williamson’s firm, Grace Public Affairs, between January 2021 and December 2022 — after Becerra had already left state office, according to a complaint submitted to California’s Fair Political Practices Commission.
Williamson, who faced a 23-count federal indictment, pleaded guilty to federal fraud and tax charges after reaching a deal with prosecutors. Becerra has not been accused of wrongdoing but has faced political scrutiny over the scandal while leading the California governor’s race.
Under California’s Political Reform Act, campaign funds are considered “surplus” once a candidate leaves office and can only be used for limited purposes, including paying debts, charitable donations, party activities, or complying with campaign finance rules.
Becerra previously said the payments were intended to ensure the committee complied with campaign finance laws and said he did not know the expenditures were allegedly improper.
The complaint comes as Becerra is also drawing renewed criticism over his relationship with the oil industry after a major independent committee supporting his campaign received a massive infusion from the California Resources Corporation, one of the state’s largest oil drillers.
The company contributed a whopping half a million this week to Working Families for Healthy Communities Supporting Becerra for Governor 2026, an independent committee backed by labor and healthcare groups.
“We support campaigns and candidates that prioritize affordable and reliable energy for all Californians, while ensuring the state makes progress towards its climate goals,” California Resources Corporation spokesperson Hailey Bonus told Politico.
The donation dwarfs the $39,200 that oil giant Chevron previously donated directly to Becerra’s campaign earlier in the race — a contribution that sparked backlash from fellow Democratic candidates Katie Porter and Tom Steyer, both of whom have pledged not to accept fossil fuel money.
Oil industry donations have emerged as a dividing line among Democratic contenders in the increasingly combative governor’s race.
The issue has become an even greater point of division following allegations involving Eric Swalwell and rising oil prices driven by instability in the Middle East. California’s average gas price is now well above $6 per gallon, while the national average sits around $4.50, according to AAA.
President Donald Trump has called for the suspension of the federal gas tax in response to rising fuel costs. In California, candidates, including Matt Mahan and Steve Hilton, have weighed in on the issue. Both candidates have called on the current administration in Sacramento to suspend the state gas tax, while also pledging to take similar action if elected. Governor Gavin Newsom has held out.
During an April gubernatorial forum hosted by the League of California Cities, Becerra openly defended Chevron while pushing back against criticism over the company’s support.
“Chevron — that’s the problem with politics — they’re not the bad guy,” Becerra said during the event.
“Does everybody here drive an electric vehicle? You need Chevron, I need Chevron, the people of the state of California need Chevron,” he added.
Becerra’s campaign has previously defended his record on climate and fossil fuel accountability.
“Xavier Becerra has never been bought by a check and his record proves it,” campaign spokesperson Jonathan Underland previously told Politico.
“At every opportunity, he has taken action to hold companies accountable and has been very vocal about the impact that fossil fuel companies have had on the climate, the air we breathe, and the water we drink.”
The former health secretary has seen a sharp rise in polling in recent months, emerging as one of the leading Democratic contenders in the race to succeed termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The California Post has reached out to the Becerra camp for comment.
