California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra has vowed to scrap the current High-Speed Rail plan and to forge a new path that will see it completed ”on budget and on time.”

The Democrat, who has surged in the polls in recent weeks, told supporters in Fresno the current configuration was failing to deliver, Fox26 reported.

The former Joe Biden cabinet secretary has centered his campaign message on issues impacting the Central Valley, including agriculture, water access and infrastructure development.

Becerra used the appearance on Saturday to stress his ties to the region, arguing Valley communities have too often been ignored by state leaders.

He said: “It really did feel like I was in a family reunion. And it almost was like a family reunion, because a good portion of that audience was family.”

Becerra repeatedly referenced his upbringing in the San Joaquin Valley while assuring attendees he would prioritize the region’s economic and agricultural concerns if elected.

“The heartbeat of much of California is here in the Central Valley as it is anywhere else,” Becerra said. “So I’m not going to forget the Valley. It is my home. I was raised in the Valley myself.”

Among the biggest topics discussed was California’s embattled High-Speed Rail project, which has faced mounting criticism for ballooning costs, delays and uncertainty over when construction will be completed.

“I’m going to scrap the current configuration, and I’m going to make sure we finish,” Becerra said. “But we’ve got to do it on budget and on time.”

Speaker of the California State Assembly Robert Rivas also appeared at the Fresno event and praised Becerra’s leadership experience while publicly backing his campaign.

“When it comes to his values, who he is, and his experience, it’s someone that I trust,” Rivas said.

Water policy also emerged as a key issue during the discussion, with Becerra acknowledging the challenges of balancing agricultural needs with environmental protections amid California’s ongoing water concerns.

“There is a sweet spot, and everyone has to recognize you don’t get everything you want,” Becerra said.

“Whether it’s the ag community, the environmental community, or the developer community, we all have to recognize that water is a precious resource.”

Beccera continues to astound in the polls ahead of the June 2 primaries, with former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra taking a slight lead in California’s crowded governor’s race.

An Emerson College and Inside California Politics Poll shows Becerra at 19%, ahead of Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Tom Steyer.

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