In 2001, Becerra unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Mayor of Los Angeles, but finished fifth behind former Assembly Speaker [[Antonio Villaraigosa]].
In 2001, Becerra unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Mayor of Los Angeles, but finished fifth behind former Assembly Speaker [[Antonio Villaraigosa]].
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==Democrat IT scandal==
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:{{See also|Democrat IT scaandal}}
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Becerra hired Imran Awan in 2004. When Becerra became chairman of the Democratic Caucus in 2013, that office began paying Imran's wife Alvi $25,000 to $30,000 a year in addition to the payments from Becerra’s personal office, meaning he was responsible for far more of the payments to the Awan family than any other member. By 2016, Becerra put Imran's brother Abid on his payroll as well.<ref>https://dailycaller.com/2017/09/12/exclusive-dws-it-guy-was-banned-from-house-after-trying-to-hide-secret-server/</ref> Becerra paid Imran at least $130,811.<ref>https://canadafreepress.com/article/california-swamp-ca-democrat-house-members-hired-muslim-brotherhood-awan-br</ref> Becerra never reported any of Awan's illegal activities to the police, which Becerra was aware of.<ref>https://canadafreepress.com/article/california-swamp-ca-democrat-house-members-hired-muslim-brotherhood-awan-br</ref>