California gubernatorial candidates Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton will address Latino elected officials and policymakers this week during the NALEO 43rd Annual Conference in downtown Los Angeles, organizers announced Monday.
Becerra, the former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, is scheduled to speak during the conference breakfast program Wednesday morning, while Hilton, an author and businessman, will deliver remarks during the lunch program later in the day, according to the organization.
The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials’ three-day conference at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown is billed as the nation’s largest gathering of Latino policymakers.
“California is about to choose the leader of the world’s fourth-largest economy, and our nation’s Latino elected and appointed officials deserve a seat at that table,” NALEO Chief Executive Officer Erica Bernal-Martinez said in a statement. “The participation of California’s gubernatorial candidates reflects NALEO’s longstanding commitment to ensuring Latino leadership has a direct line to the candidates who will shape our state’s future.”
Conference attendees are expected to hear the candidates discuss their priorities for the state and address issues they believe will influence California in the coming years.
The conference is also expected to feature appearances by Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, among others.
NALEO represents more than 8,000 Latino elected and appointed officials nationwide.
Members of the public can watch the candidates’ remarks via livestream at naleo.org/naleo2026-live.