All eight candidates vying to become California’s next governor clashed Tuesday night in a raucous debate at Pomona College, the first time the full field has shared a stage as the June 2 primary approaches and ballots begin landing in mailboxes. The six Democrats and two Republicans spent much of the evening talking over one another in a format marked by frequent interruptions and sharp exchanges, with no single candidate landing a decisive breakout moment.
Republican Steve Hilton, who holds a narrow lead in current polling with the backing of President Trump, framed the race as a referendum on 16 years of Democratic governance. “We’ve had the same people in charge for 16 years now, and because it’s such a disaster and such a high cost of living for everyone, and the highest poverty rate in the country and the highest unemployment rate in the country, they can’t do anything except blame Trump,” he said. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who has gained momentum following Eric Swalwell’s recent exit from the race, went after Hilton directly, urging voters to elect someone who would fight the Trump administration rather than align with it.
Housing affordability and the cost of living dominated much of the debate, with candidates offering competing visions. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pitched a $25 billion first-time buyer assistance initiative and a commitment to streamline housing construction. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan called for suspending and reforming the gas tax, which he described as the most regressive tax in California, arguing that working and rural Californians bear a disproportionate burden compared to wealthier electric vehicle owners. Democrat Tony Thurmond proposed down payment assistance grants for prospective homeowners.
The sharpest exchange among Democrats came between billionaire investor Tom Steyer, currently the leading Democrat in the field, and former Representative Katie Porter. After Steyer called for fossil fuel companies to be held accountable for costs including wildfire damage, Porter turned on him directly, noting that he had paid the lowest tax rate on the stage while building his fortune through fossil fuel investments. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, the second Republican on stage, delivered a broadside against the Democratic field as a whole, saying he was “terrified” that any of his fellow candidates would become governor. Thurmond shot back, telling Bianco to offer solutions or stop wasting public resources.
With roughly 25% of California voters still undecided, the primary remains wide open. Only the top two finishers on June 2, regardless of party, will advance to the November general election.
