As of September 8, candidate for California Governor Xavier Becerra’s most recent confirmed public campaign appearance was Friday, September 4, in Long Beach, where he appeared with Mayor Rex Richardson and others to discuss housing.
That puts our public-appearance counter at: Day 4.
But there’s another number we’ll be watching — and it may be more revealing.
When did Democrat Becerra last face reporters and answer their questions?
The most recent instance we can verify was August 19 in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo.
Becerra toured the neighborhood during Nisei Week and afterward answered reporters’ questions about the governor’s race, Republican opponent Steve Hilton and criticism that Becerra was running a low-profile general-election campaign.
That was also when Becerra promised voters there would be debates with Hilton before Election Day.
“We will have debates,” Becerra said.
As of September 8, that makes it 20 days since the last press Q&A we can verify.
The distinction is important.
Showing up at an event is one thing. Standing in front of reporters and taking unscripted questions about your campaign, policies and record is another.
There has now been movement on the debate front: CNN has announced that Becerra and Hilton will meet September 30 in Los Angeles for their first one-on-one general-election debate.
But Becerra previously said there would be multiple debates. So we’ll also track whether additional debates are actually scheduled.
And every morning, onLACA will check Becerra’s public schedule, campaign announcements and appearances and update both numbers.
Today’s scoreboard:
Public campaign appearance: Day 4.
Days since last verified press Q&A: 20.
Where’s Xavier?
