Seven candidates vying to become California's next governor engaged in a fierce debate Tuesday, exchanging sharp criticisms on issues ranging from rising gas prices and tax policies to healthcare. The televised event, aired on CNN, took place as mail-in voting was already underway ahead of the June 2 primary. With no clear frontrunner, the candidates sought to distinguish themselves in a race to replace Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited.
Partisan Divisions Over Cost of Living
A central theme of the two-hour debate was California's punishing cost of living. Republicans Steve Hilton, a conservative commentator, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco argued that decades of Democratic governance have worsened conditions for the state's nearly 40 million residents. They called for change, blaming high taxes and regulations for making life unaffordable. In contrast, Democrats — including former state Attorney General Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Representative Katie Porter, billionaire Tom Steyer, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa — focused on policy differences and portrayed President Donald Trump as the primary threat to California.
The average gas price in California exceeded $6 per gallon on Tuesday, according to AAA. Becerra attributed the high costs to Trump and the war in Iran, while Hilton and Bianco pointed to state taxes and regulations. When Hilton claimed he could lower gas prices to $3 per gallon, Mahan retorted, "You're lying to people." Hilton countered, "Donald Trump is the president in all the other states in America where the cost of living is way lower than in California." Porter, the only woman on stage, interjected, "Boys, boys, enough with the bickering."
Broader Challenges and Attacks
The debate unfolded against the backdrop of California's ongoing homeless crisis, wildfire insurance shortages, projected budget shortfalls, and housing costs that strain working-class families. Voters face rising expenses for groceries, utilities, and gas. Democrats frequently denounced Trump, who remains unpopular in California outside his conservative base. Becerra stated, "Yes, I'm going to repeat Donald Trump as often as I have to because he's the real menace that we have in California." Porter bluntly added, "Donald Trump sucks."
On tax policy, only Steyer expressed support for a one-time tax on billionaires, likely to appear on the November ballot, and indicated he would seek additional tax increases. Porter argued the tax was too narrow to effect real change. Mahan, advocating for suspending the state's gas tax, criticized fellow Democrats for focusing on expanding government rather than improving its efficiency. Hilton pledged to make the first $100,000 of income tax-free.
Personal and Legal Attacks
Candidates also targeted each other's records. Becerra faced questions about the federal indictment of his chief of staff and others, including a former top Newsom aide, for allegedly stealing campaign funds. The indictment claims the scheme padded the chief of staff's salary when Becerra served as federal health secretary. While Becerra has not been implicated, Villaraigosa and Hilton questioned his judgment. Hilton suggested he would push for an investigation if elected. Becerra responded, "If I had been involved, the U.S. attorney would have had me in that indictment. I was not involved."
Bianco was questioned about seizing over half a million ballots in Riverside County to investigate unfounded election fraud claims, a move the state Supreme Court halted. Porter faced queries about a new ad referencing an embarrassing video of her berating a staffer, calling it a sign of accountability. She added, "If these boys bullying and bickering hasn't been enough to raise questions about their temperament, I would really challenge that." Hilton refused to answer whether Trump lost the 2020 election.
California's primary places all candidates on a single ballot, with the top two advancing to the general election regardless of party. Democrats worry that a crowded field could allow two Republicans to advance, a historic setback for the party. The GOP has not won a statewide election in California in two decades, and registered Democrats outnumber Republicans roughly 2-to-1.
