Xavier Becerra to Be California's First Hispanic Attorney General

LOS ANGELES, CA — Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Democratic powerbroker Rep. Xavier Becerra to be California's next attorney general Thursday.

The 12-term congressman will replace Kamala Harris, who was elected to retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer’s U.S. Senate seat last month. Congress’s highest ranking Latino, Becerra was first elected to Congress in 1992. He has represented his Los Angeles County district in Congress since 1992. Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Becerra will be California’s first Hispanic attorney general.

"Governor Brown has presented me with an opportunity I cannot refuse — to serve as attorney general of my home state," Becerra said. "As a former deputy attorney general, I relished the chance to be our state's chief law enforcement officer to protect consumers, advance criminal justice reform and, of course, keep our families safe."

Before entering national politics, Becerra was an assemblyman and a deputy state attorney general.

"Xavier has been an outstanding public servant — in the state Legislature, the U.S. Congress and as a deputy attorney general," Brown said. "I'm confident he will be a champion for all Californians and help our state aggressively combat climate change."

Becerra is widely expected to be confirmed by the state Senate and Assembly to serve the final two years of Harris' term.

The move is the latest in the domino effect triggered by Boxer’s retirement

Becerra's congressional seat would be filled by a special election.

Former Assembly Speaker John A. Perez, whose district included parts of Becerra's congressional district, announced his intention to run for the seat Thursday.

"I'm proud to have played a role in enacting some of the most impactful legislation in the country to help poor and working class families, as well as the middle class on issues from college affordability to job training to public education, environmental justice, equality and more," Perez said.

"I'm running for Congress to take these California values and our state's visionary approach to the national level."

Perez is currently a University of California regent.

City News Service contributed to this report.