{"id":2437603,"date":"2025-05-21T17:21:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T21:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-democrat-running-for-governor-swipes-harris-for-biden-cover-up-as-she-mulls-2026-campaign-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-05-21T17:22:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T21:22:13","slug":"california-democrat-running-for-governor-swipes-harris-for-biden-cover-up-as-she-mulls-2026-campaign-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-democrat-running-for-governor-swipes-harris-for-biden-cover-up-as-she-mulls-2026-campaign-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"California Democrat running for governor swipes Harris for Biden \u2018cover-up\u2019 as she mulls 2026 campaign &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">36<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcalifornia-democrat-running-for-governor-swipes-harris-for-biden-cover-up-as-she-mulls-2026-campaign-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2437603&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Antonio villaraigosa has publicly criticized former Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing her of participating in a &#8220;systematic cover-up&#8221; regarding President Joe Biden&#8217;s cognitive decline. This accusation arises as Villaraigosa prepares to run in the 2026 gubernatorial election, following a long career in California politics, including serving as the mayor of Los Angeles and California assembly speaker. <\/p>\n<p>Villaraigosa&#8217;s comments come in the wake of a new book revealing the extent of Biden&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/9-year-old-girl-pepper-sprayed-during-interaction-with-rochester-police\/\" title=\"9...Year...Old Girl Pepper Sprayed During Interaction With Rochester Police\">mental health issues<\/a> during his presidency. He questions why both Harris and Xavier Becerra, who was the secretary of health and human services under Biden, did not speak out about these concerns. In his statement, Villaraigosa suggests that their silence contributed to the electoral outcome that allowed Donald Trump to potentially secure a second term.<\/p>\n<p>As the race develops, Harris has not ruled out her own gubernatorial bid, creating a scenario where she, Villaraigosa, and Becerra may compete in the Democratic primary. According to recent polling data, Harris has a commanding lead among potential primary voters, but Villaraigosa&#8217;s recent attacks may disrupt the dynamics of the race. The discourse around Biden&#8217;s mental acuity is expected to become a meaningful topic as the election approaches, impacting candidates aligned with his governance.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">California Democrat running for governor swipes Harris for Biden &lsquo;cover-up&rsquo; as she mulls 2026 campaign<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1847781\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">California <\/a>Democratic gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa accused former Vice President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kamala-harris\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Kamala Harris<\/a>, one of his possible competitors in the governor&rsquo;s race, of being involved in a &ldquo;systematic cover-up&rdquo; to conceal former President Joe Biden&rsquo;s cognitive decline from the public eye.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Villaraigosa is running for governor during the 2026 elections after <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >spending decades building political capital<\/a> in the Golden State, including holding titles as the mayor of Los Angeles, the speaker of the California Assembly,<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>and the 2018 Democratic runner-up for governor.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/xavier-becerra\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Xavier Becerra<\/a>, who was health and human services secretary during Biden&rsquo;s time in office,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3367481\/xavier-becerra-enters-california-governor-race\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> has already announced<\/a> he will challenge Villaraigosa ahead of the state&rsquo;s Democratic primary. The Los Angeles mayor could also face a challenge from Harris, who has yet to rule out a gubernatorial run in her home state.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3418278\/florida-governor-race-candidates-matt-gaetz-rumors\/\">Florida sees possible five-way race for governor open up as Gaetz rumors swirl<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3418105\/pittsburgh-mayor-democratic-primary-corey-oconnor\/\">Progressive Pittsburgh mayor loses to challenger in Democratic primary<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3416699\/former-atlanta-mayor-biden-appointee-keisha-lance-bottoms-georgia-governor\/\">Former Atlanta mayor and Biden appointee announces run for Georgia governor<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>On Tuesday, Villaraigosa focused his gaze on taking down Becerra and Harris, who was a heartbeat away from Biden as his vice president for four years. In response to a new book detailing the extent of Biden&rsquo;s descent into apparent dementia while in the White House, the former Los Angeles mayor suggested the pair had been complicit in covering up the former president&rsquo;s decline from voters. &ldquo;Why didn&rsquo;t either of them speak out?&rdquo; he questioned in comments to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/politics\/story\/2025-05-20\/villaraigosa-harris-becerra-biden\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><em>Los Angeles Times<\/em><\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Voters deserve to know the truth. This cover-up directly led to a second Donald Trump term &mdash; and as a result, all Californians are paying the price,&rdquo; Villaraigosa continued in a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AVillaraigosa\/status\/1925206396280443312\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">post<\/a> to X on Wednesday.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Now, we have come to learn this cover-up includes two prominent California politicians who served as California attorney general &mdash; one who is running for governor and another who is thinking about running for governor,&rdquo; he added in a statement to the outlet. &ldquo;What did Kamala Harris and Xavier Becerra know, when did they know it, and most importantly, why didn&rsquo;t either of them speak out?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;At the highest levels of our government, those in power were intentionally complicit or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/knowles-science-is-fake\/\" title=\"Knowles: Science Is Fake\">told outright lies<\/a> in a systematic cover-up to keep Joe Biden&rsquo;s mental decline from the public,&rdquo; Villaraigosa warned. &ldquo;Kamala Harris and Xavier Becerra took an oath of office and were entrusted to protect the American people, but instead Kamala Harris repeatedly said there was nothing wrong with Biden, and Becerra turned a blind eye.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Joe Biden, left, and Vice President Kamala Harris attend a Department of Defense Commander in Chief farewell ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. (AP Photo\/Evan Vucci)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Villaraigosa&rsquo;s attacks on Harris and Becerra solidify Democrats&rsquo; fears that people closely aligned with Biden who defended the former president against concerns about his mental acuity could be dragged down by new revelations<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3409863\/steven-spielberg-biden-mental-decline-cover-up-jake-tapper-alex-thompson-book\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> detailing the extent of his decline<\/a>. Those points are outlined most recently in CNN anchor Jake Tapper and <em>Axios&rsquo;s<\/em> Alex Thompson&rsquo;s book,&nbsp;<em>Original Sin: President Biden&rsquo;s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Democrats testing the water may not have been forced to answer Biden health questions in the past, but they certainly will now,&rdquo; a national Democrat involved with major fundraising efforts told the <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3417690\/biden-health-revelations-could-drag-2028-democratic-field\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Washington Examiner<\/a><\/em>  on Wednesday. <\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3416348\/joe-biden-prostate-cancer-diagnosis-democrats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BIDEN&rsquo;S CANCER DIAGNOSIS FUELS FRESH DOUBTS AND DISTRUST AMONG DEMOCRATS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As of February, Harris stood ready to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3319094\/slim-majority-democratic-voters-back-kamala-harris-governor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">sweep aside challengers<\/a> in a hypothetical Democratic primary, according to a survey from Emerson College Polling.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Of Democrats surveyed, 57% of primary voters would vote for Harris in a hypothetical election. Nearly a fifth, 17%, remained undecided in the poll, which showed former Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/3377377\/katie-porter-waiting-game-california-governor-race\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Katie Porter<\/a> trailing Harris at 9%. Porter announced her campaign in April, likely giving her a boost. The poll handed Villaraigosa 4% support, with&nbsp;17% of voters undecided.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1847781\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1847781\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>California gubernatorial candidate Villaraigosa criticizes Harris for allegedly covering up Biden&#8217;s cognitive decline<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2437604,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Biden-Harris-2025.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[3620,4045,4912,4173,4021],"class_list":["post-2437603","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-biden","tag-california","tag-democrat","tag-governor","tag-harris"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Biden-Harris-2025.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2437603","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2437603"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2437603\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2437607,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2437603\/revisions\/2437607"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2437604"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2437603"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2437603"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2437603"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}