Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Xavier Becerra found themselves on the receiving end of social media ridicule Wednesday after posting photos from what critics described as a carefully staged meeting at a nearly empty Mexican restaurant in San Francisco.
The pair met at Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant for their first in-person meeting since Becerra emerged from the crowded June 2 primary and secured Newsom’s endorsement. Photos shared by both men showed them shaking hands inside the family-owned establishment and seated at a table that appeared to have been cleared of customers, with only two water glasses visible.
Their discussion purportedly focused on California’s housing crisis, economic challenges, support for small businesses, protecting abortion rights, and pushing back against President Donald Trump’s agenda. Newsom has thrown his support behind Becerra and pledged to campaign for him throughout the general election.
Republicans quickly seized on the imagery.
“They go to a restaurant in a city neither of them live in, clear out the customers, and not eat,” the California Republican Party wrote on X. “Californians are tired of manufactured photo ops with do-nothing, all-talk politicians while our state gets more expensive and worse to live in. In contrast, Steve Hilton is actually out meeting with people, hearing from them, and working to address their needs. The choice couldn’t be clearer this November.”
Others piled on.
User Wendy O wrote, “This is not a flex,” while user Jeff Edmondson posted, “The only thing you and Gavs have done for me is force me to leave my home state due to affordability.”
The criticism comes as Becerra continues an unlikely political resurgence. Less than two months before the primary, the former Biden administration health secretary was polling in the single digits. His fortunes changed dramatically after former Democratic California Rep. Eric Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign imploded amid allegations of sexual misconduct and assault.
Becerra, 68, enters the general election with one of the longest resumes in California politics. He served in the state Assembly, spent nearly a quarter-century representing Los Angeles in Congress, was California attorney general, and later joined former President Joe Biden’s Cabinet as secretary of health and human services.
Hilton, his Republican opponent, has spent the campaign crisscrossing California, arguing that nearly two decades of Democratic control have contributed to rising homelessness, crime, drug addiction, human trafficking, high gas prices, and the soaring cost of living.
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On Wednesday, Hilton posted a video from a Texas gas station highlighting lower fuel prices.
“We are in Texas. Just filled up for $3.59,” Hilton said. “In LA on Monday, it was $8.59. Californians: It’s not the Iran war. It’s not ‘Trump.’ It’s Democrat policies that have given us the highest gas prices in America. You can have $3 gas, but you have to vote for it in November.”