Six leading candidates seeking to replace termed-out Governor Gavin Newsom sparred over homelessness, housing affordability, and wealth Wednesday evening in the first televised debate since former Representative Eric Swalwell’s campaign collapsed amid sexual assault allegations.
The 90-minute debate, hosted by Nexstar Media Group in San Francisco, featured Republicans Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, and Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff, alongside Democrats Tom Steyer, a billionaire climate activist; Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary; Katie Porter, former Orange County Representative; and Matt Mahan, San Jose Mayor. According to the Los Angeles Times, the debate came at a critical moment with ballots set to arrive in voters’ mailboxes in less than two weeks.
Steyer, who has contributed $133 million to his own campaign, faced repeated attacks over his hedge fund’s past investments in private prisons and fossil fuel companies. Mahan said, “We don’t need a billionaire who made his money in private prisons and oil and gas that he’s now supposedly against.” Steyer responded by highlighting that he is “the billionaire who wants to tax other billionaires” and noted that oil companies dropped $5 million against him on Earth Day.
Becerra, who has surged in polls since Swalwell dropped out, sparred with Porter over housing policy. “Mr. Becerra, you have all these lovely plans, but there are never any numbers, any revenue plan, any details,” Porter said. Becerra fired back, questioning Porter’s experience: “That’s very rich to hear from someone who’s never had to actually run a government.”
The debate highlighted Democratic anxiety about California’s unique primary system, where the top two vote-getters advance to the November general election regardless of party. The Guardian reports that nearly a quarter of voters remain undecided ahead of the June 2 primary, with Democrats splintered among six main candidates while Hilton and Bianco lead the polls despite California’s heavy Democratic registration advantage.
A heated exchange erupted over racial profiling when candidates discussed California Highway Patrol officers reportedly administering English proficiency tests for truck drivers. Bianco said, “Let’s stop with this whole racism thing and racial profiling and all of this is garbage.” Porter responded sharply: “I’m stunned that Mr. Bianco would say to Black and brown Californians and immigrants who are being terrorized and racially profiled that you have to get over racism.”
When asked to grade Newsom’s handling of homelessness, the Democrats gave passing marks, with Porter awarding a “B.” Hilton quipped he would give the outgoing governor an “F.” The Republicans blamed the state’s challenges on 16 years of “failed” Democratic governance.
Becerra addressed questions about whether he should have done more regarding “rumors” about Swalwell’s behavior when chairing the Democratic Caucus. “Rumors are not facts,” Becerra said, adding that he applauded the “courageous” women who came forward.
Two Democrats failed to qualify for the debate: former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. Former state Controller Betty Yee suspended her campaign Monday and endorsed Steyer.
The candidates are scheduled to debate again Tuesday as they compete for one of two spots on the November ballot in a race where no candidate has achieved support approaching the mid-20 percent range likely needed to advance.
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