California Gubernatorial Candidates Clash in Heated Debate

Seven candidates vying to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom clashed in a heated televised debate as mail-in voting began ahead of the June 2 primary election. According to multiple reports, the wide-ranging discussion touched on critical issues such as gas prices, taxes, healthcare, and the state's homeless crisis.

The debate aired on CNN with a national audience watching. Republicans Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco argued that Democrats have worsened life for California's nearly 40 million residents during more than 15 years in the governor's office. As reported by Fox News, half of California voters want change, making Hilton's common-sense approach appealing.

The Democratic candidates—former state Attorney General Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, billionaire Tom Steyer, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa—tried to distinguish themselves on policy and emphasized that President Donald Trump is California's biggest threat. According to PBS, the average gas price in California was more than $6 per gallon at the time of the debate.

The candidates sparred over tax policy, with only Steyer supporting a one-time tax on billionaires likely to be on the November ballot. Porter criticized the tax as too narrow, while Mahan proposed suspending the state's gas tax. Hilton pledged to make people's first $100,000 free of income tax.

Becerra faced questions about a federal indictment involving his chief of staff and others, alleging campaign money theft. Although Becerra has not been implicated or indicted, Villaraigosa and Hilton questioned his judgment. Bianco was challenged about seizing more than half a million ballots in Riverside County to investigate unfounded claims of election fraud.