Xavier Becerra’s campaign for California governor has paid his daughter more than $17,000 to work as its deputy policy director, the New York Post reported, citing campaign finance records.
Clarisa Reyes-Becerra is an immigration attorney and a Stanford and Columbia graduate, according to the report.
She previously served as managing attorney at the nonprofit California Immigration Project and is vice chair of First 5 Monterey County.
The Post reported that she began as a campaign volunteer and moved into a paid role after the primary.
Her work includes helping develop communications and briefing the candidate on issues including immigration and health care.
The arrangement is not unlawful. “It’s not illegal to hire a family member for a campaign, but the details are key,” the Post quoted compliance expert Joshua Wurtzel as saying.
He added that such a hire “certainly gives your adversary something to point to and try to say there is nepotism.”
Campaign spokesperson Jonathan Underland defended the decision, pointing to Republican opponent Steve Hilton’s stance on immigration enforcement. “The value of an experienced attorney with immigration focus on our policy team cannot be overstated,” he said.
Becerra leads Hilton in polling ahead of the November election, according to the report.
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