Six leading candidates vying for California’s governorship are set to clash in a televised debate Wednesday, each hoping for a pivotal moment in a chaotic and leaderless race.
With mail ballots slated to reach voters early next month ahead of the June 2 primary, time is rapidly running out for contenders to establish a clear advantage.
Under California’s unique election rules, only the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the November general election.
This system has fueled months of anxiety among Democrats, who fear a crowded field could inadvertently lead to two Republicans securing the spots, a scenario that would represent a historic setback for the famously progressive state.
The debate will feature the two leading Republican hopefuls, conservative commentator Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, alongside four prominent Democrats: former U.S. Representative Katie Porter, billionaire Tom Steyer, former Biden administration health secretary Xavier Becerra, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
With candidates eager to seize an advantage before a statewide television audience, the 90-minute event could easily devolve into a series of heated exchanges and verbal attacks.
The campaign has recently navigated a period of significant instability. U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell, previously a leading Democratic contender, withdrew from the race and Congress following sexual assault allegations, which he denies.
Another Democrat, former state controller Betty Yee, exited the contest on Monday after consistently lagging in polls since entering in 2024, subsequently endorsing Steyer.
Meanwhile, Becerra received a notable endorsement from Democratic Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas on Tuesday.
Becerra and Mahan were late additions to the debate lineup after Swalwell’s departure, and both have since garnered fresh attention and endorsements in the reordered contest. Mahan, in particular, has been actively rolling out advertising campaigns to bolster his standing.
While Democrats largely align on key policy issues, such as reducing household costs and countering President Donald Trump's agenda, they will be searching for distinct ways to stand out on stage.
This could involve highlighting their own records or scrutinizing those of their rivals. Porter, known for her viral use of a whiteboard during congressional hearings, could become the state’s first woman governor. Steyer, a hedge fund manager turned liberal activist who mounted an unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2020, is recognized for his focus on climate issues.
Becerra is the most seasoned politician among the group, having served in the Biden administration, as a state attorney general, a congressman, and a state legislator. Mahan has emphasized his efforts to combat homelessness and crime during his tenure leading Northern California’s largest city.
California itself is expected to be a central theme. Democrats have dominated the government of the nation’s most populous state for years, with Republicans failing to win a statewide election in two decades. Consequently, Hilton and Bianco are anticipated to reiterate familiar campaign themes, blaming Sacramento’s one-sided politics for the state’s challenges.
Their arguments will likely include criticisms that billions in spending have failed to curb the persistent homeless crisis, that the state endures some of the nation’s highest taxes, utility bills, and gas prices, that heavy government regulation is driving away jobs, and that soaring home prices remain out of reach for many families.
The race remains wide open. Polling conducted in late March and early April by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California indicated a tight cluster of candidates, including Democrats Steyer and Porter, and Republicans Hilton and Bianco, alongside Swalwell.
Other candidates trailed significantly. It is important to note that this polling was conducted prior to Swalwell’s withdrawal from the race.
Nexstar Media Group will host the debate, broadcasting it on its local channels, NewsNation, and streaming it online via The Hill.
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