Xavier Becerra California Governor Runoff: Viral Claim That Newsom Backs Him in Secret Deal Is Fake
A rumor spreading on social media claims that outgoing California Governor Gavin Newsom has secretly brokered a deal to support Attorney General Xavier Becerra in a potential gubernatorial runoff election, allegedly bypassing other Democratic candidates. This is false. No such deal exists, and Newsom’s office has not publicly or privately endorsed any successor. The claim appears to stem from a satirical post on a parody account, which was then taken out of context and shared widely. In reality, any runoff scenario—triggered if no candidate secures a majority in the primary—would follow standard election procedures, with Becerra facing off against the second-place finisher. Newsom has stated he will remain neutral in the race. Stay vigilant: verify sources before sharing.