Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is joining the crowded field of Democrats running for California governor.

Former U.S. Health Secretary and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is the latest Democrat to enter the race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2028, joining seven other Democrats and one Republican — a flush field that could be upended should former Vice President Kamala Harris decide to run.

Sacramento native and former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is back in his hometown after spending the last four years in Washington, D.C., serving in the Biden administration.