Xavier Becerra California Governor Runoff Heats Up as Late Polls Show a Tight Race
A new viral rumor is sweeping social media, claiming that California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is secretly planning a last-minute "runoff" bid for governor this fall, despite previously stating he would not run. The unfounded narrative, spreading across X and Facebook, alleges that Becerra is in talks with top Democratic donors to launch a surprise campaign if Governor Gavin Newsom resigns amid a fictional ethics scandal. Fact-checkers have debunked this: there is no evidence of a resignation, and Becerra has not filed any paperwork for a 2024 gubernatorial race. The "runoff" claim appears to stem from a satirical blog post misidentified as real news. As of now, the 2026 election looms, but no runoff is scheduled.