Former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas declined to endorse former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra for California governor during an interview Tuesday at Politico's Security Summit in Washington, D.C.

When asked about the gubernatorial race, Mayorkas stated he is "agnostic with respect to the California gubernatorial race right now." He cited his Washington residence as part of his reasoning for remaining neutral in the contest.

Becerra, who served as California's attorney general before joining the Biden administration as HHS Secretary, is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. The former cabinet secretary has been making media appearances as part of his campaign efforts.

During a recent televised interview about his gubernatorial campaign, Becerra immediately questioned the reporter's intentions at the start of the sit-down. "By the way, this is a profile piece, this is not a gotcha piece, right?" Becerra asked the television reporter before the interview proceeded.

Both Mayorkas and Becerra served in the Biden administration's cabinet, with Mayorkas leading the Department of Homeland Security and Becerra overseeing Health and Human Services. The California gubernatorial primary is expected to feature multiple Democratic candidates vying to succeed the current governor.