Former U.S. Health Secretary and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is the latest Democrat to enter the race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2028, joining seven other Democrats and one Republican — a flush field that could be upended should former Vice President Kamala Harris decide to run.

Xavier Becerra, a Sacramento native, also became the first Latino secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2021.

Becerra said he’s jumping in at a time when California is facing threats, including climate change, a housing affordability crisis and constant hostility from the Trump administration.