California Chamber of Commerce board endorses Xavier Becerra for governor, backing first Democrat in its gubernatorial-history endorsement

The California Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors voted Thursday to endorse Xavier Becerra for governor, according to a report citing the group’s action. The endorsement positions Becerra against Republican Steve Hilton in California’s gubernatorial contest.

The business group’s vote occurred at a meeting of its board, which selected Becerra over Hilton, the report said. CalChamber described the choice as its first endorsement of a Democrat in a gubernatorial race, indicating a departure from prior support patterns in that specific statewide contest.

In explaining the decision, the report said the board characterized Becerra, a longtime Democratic political figure, as “best positioned” to deliver “stability and certainty” for California businesses. The endorsement language, as described in the report, frames the group’s focus on predictability for employers and the business climate rather than candidate biographies alone.

The report also indicates that CalChamber’s endorsement occurred in a late-stage phase of the statewide election cycle, when gubernatorial candidates are courting major industry and civic organizations. The business group’s backing is expected to provide organizational support that can include visibility with its membership and staff outreach, though the report does not detail the specific measures tied to the endorsement.

CalChamber is a large statewide business organization, and endorsements by such groups can affect how employers and industry associations approach regulatory and policy priorities. In California, gubernatorial policy choices can influence taxation, workforce rules, permitting and licensing, workplace enforcement practices, and the cost environment for businesses, according to the kinds of issues typically associated with the governor’s agenda.

Becerra’s campaign has not been independently verified in primary records within the available research, but the endorsement itself is attributed to CalChamber’s board vote as reported Thursday. The report did not provide a roll call or vote totals, and it did not describe any dissenting positions within the board at the time of the decision.

For Hilton, the endorsement means the business group is publicly supporting his general-election opponent. The report frames CalChamber’s action as an organizational choice in a high-profile statewide race, but it does not address whether other major business associations have taken similar positions or whether CalChamber plans additional endorsements or policy commitments tied to its decision.