Papa’s Real-Life Inspiration is Running for Governor of California

Back when I was a public radio reporter covering Congress, you never knew when a familiar face would show up in the U.S. Capitol. On this particular day, it was then-Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom who was chatting up then-Congressman Xavier Becerra.

I spent a lot of time covering Becerra's time in Washington, watching him deliver the Spanish rebuttal speech to the State of the Union address, sitting through endless press conferences after the weekly House Democratic Caucus breakfast, and meeting his family of daughters - all of which ended up in my middle grade series The Fina Mendoza Mysteries.

I borrowed Becerra's glasses and graying temples for Papa, as well as his 34th Congressional District. Though unlike the widowed Papa, Becerra's wife is very much alive. (Dr. Carolina Reyes is an OBGYN.)

Sometimes Facts Overtake the Fiction

Gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra (left) and then-Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom flank then-KPCC/LAist reporter Kitty Felde

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And then it gets wierd

Xavier Becerra left Congress to serve as California's Attorney General, followed by a stint as a cabinet secretary under President Biden. And then he joined 60 other candidates to run for governor.

He ended up as the Democratic finalist.

Running in a largely Democratic state, Xavier Becerra is widely expected to be California's next governor, taking over from Gavin Newsom.

I keep getting asked whether the Fina Mendoza series will continue to follow Papa's political career.

But while Papa's inspiration Xavier Becerra may end up in the governor's mansion, Papa - or Arturo Mendoza - is likely to remain in Washington, one of 435 members of Congress whose constituents probably can't even remember his name.