{"id":48113,"date":"2026-04-28T19:52:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T19:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/48113\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T19:52:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T19:52:14","slug":"xavier-becerra-supercharges-governor-campaign-with-swiss-army-knife-gavin-newsom-aide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/48113\/","title":{"rendered":"Xavier Becerra supercharges governor campaign with \u2018Swiss Army knife\u2019 Gavin Newsom aide"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

The gubernatorial candidate who has bolstered in the polls after the Eric Swalwell scandal<\/a> is stacking his campaign with Gavin Newsom allies and heavy hitters.<\/p>\n

Just 35 days out from California\u2019s jungle primary race in June, Xavier Becerra<\/a> is beefing up his staff as he seeks to advance to the November election and take on Trump-endorsed Steve Hilton<\/a> and Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer, Politico\u2019s California Playbook reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The former Health and Human Services secretary under the Biden administration has reportedly hired Lindsey Cobia and Courtni Pugh<\/a>, two political consultants who have worked with the current governor since 2015 and 2021, to serve as senior political advisers.<\/p>\n

\"Just<\/p>\n

Just 35 days out from California\u2019s jungle primary race, governor candidate Xavier Becerra is beefing up his staff. AP<\/p>\n

Cobia, a longtime Democratic political operative in California, served as deputy chief of staff to Newsom from 2019 to 2023 and is described as his \u201cSwiss Army knife\u201d for handling strategy, scheduling and decisions.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Pugh, who has been relatively new to Newsom\u2019s team, has worked with top ballot candidates like former Vice President Kamala Harris and local candidates like Mayor Karen Bass.<\/p>\n

\"Courtni<\/p>\n

Courtni Pugh, pictured, has worked with top ballot candidates like former Kamala Harris and Mayor Karen Bass. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The two firms that helped power Newsom\u2019s social media and digital fundraising efforts \u2014 Lamont Digital and Aisle 518 \u2014 have also joined the Becerra camp.<\/p>\n

Others among Becerra\u2019s hires, Playbook reported, include Jonathan Underland as senior communications director and Danny Fierro as organizing director. Vanessa Carr, Nicole Serrano and Jacob Jauregui have also joined the Democrat\u2019s team.<\/p>\n

Swalwell was the leading Democratic contender until he exited the race amid multiple allegations of sexual assault and rape<\/a>, as well as a Department of Justice investigation.<\/p>\n

He has denied the accusations. Allegations from four former staffers surfaced, effectively ending his campaign and political ambitions and ultimately leading to his resignation from Congress.<\/p>\n

A new survey <\/a>conducted between April 14 and April 18 among 800 likely primary voters shows Becerra jumping to 15% support \u2014 an 11-point surge from just 4% earlier this month.<\/p>\n

The new staff additions join longtime core staff who have been with him since the campaign\u2019s early days, including general consultant Kyle Layman, communications adviser Michael Bustamante, campaign manager Emma Harris, press secretary Sara Lee and digital director Harrison Morgan.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

Two firms that helped Gov. Gavin Newsom\u2019s social media and digital fundraising efforts have also joined Becerra\u2019s camp. Nathan Posner\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

Senior political adviser Liz Saldivar previously worked with him in Congress and at the state attorney general\u2019s office, while deputy campaign manager Cynthia Palafox and political director Robbie Abelon have also been part of his circle since his earlier public service roles.<\/p>\n

The Democrats seem to be split among Becerra and Steyer, with the former US representative losing a key endorsement from affluent San Francisco activist Susie Tompkins Buell.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been in and around politics long enough to know that power and money reveal character,\u201d Buell, the megadonor, told Playbook. \u201cThat is why I am with Tom Steyer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Newsom has not yet endorsed a candidate and has maintained his distance from the race, which will determine his successor.<\/p>\n

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