California Gubernatorial Candidates Face Criticism in First Major Debate

By Daniel Trotta

*Published: 2026-04-23*

Leading candidates in California's gubernatorial race faced criticism from lower-polling contenders during a televised debate on Wednesday. Former Fox News host Steve Hilton was described as lacking government experience, while hedge fund billionaire Tom Steyer was criticized for investments linked to private prisons.

The debate focused heavily on affordability issues, with candidates questioned on plans to address California's gasoline tax, high housing costs, and increasing insurance premiums ahead of the June 2 primary election.

The event marked the first major debate in the crowded race to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, following the withdrawal of former U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, an early frontrunner. Four Democrats—Xavier Becerra, Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, and Matt Mahan—and two Republicans—Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco—participated. Nexstar Media Group aired the debate in six of California's largest media markets and nationally on NewsNation.

Xavier Becerra, former state attorney general and former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary under President Joe Biden, who has risen in recent polls, highlighted Hilton's background as a Republican and former Fox News host. "It's interesting to watch someone who has served as a talking head on a Fox News program telling us how government should run when he never has run any government in his life," Becerra said. He argued that Hilton's proposed tax cuts would reduce state revenue significantly, stating, "The math doesn't work."

The debate format required candidates to answer specific questions, limiting direct attacks on opponents, though Democratic participants directed several criticisms at Steyer, who leads among Democrats in polls.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Democrat polling lower, criticized Steyer, who has invested more than $100 million of his personal funds in the campaign. "The only housing Tom Steyer's built has been private prisons and ICE detention centers," Mahan said, citing investments by Steyer's former hedge fund, Farallon Capital Management, in shares of Corrections Corporation of America, now CoreCivic.

Steyer, despite his wealth, has adopted progressive policy positions. Responding to co-host Nikki Laurenzo, he said his self-funding reduces dependence on outside donors. "I'm the only billionaire on the ballot, Nikki, but I'm not the only billionaire in this race. The billionaires and corporations are spending big in this race to oppose me and to support the other people on this stage," Steyer stated.

California's "jungle primary" system advances the top two vote-getters from the June 2 primary to the November general election, regardless of party affiliation.

A poll qualifying candidates for the debate showed Hilton, a Republican, in the lead with 17%, followed by Republican Chad Bianco at 14%. Among Democrats, Steyer polled at 14%, with Becerra and former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter each at 10%. Mahan received 5%, and 23% of respondents were undecided.

Hilton proposed making California more affordable, including reducing gasoline prices to $3 per gallon—about half the current state average—by halving the state's 61 cents per gallon gasoline tax (equivalent to 16 cents per liter). "We cannot keep going in this direction with Democrats constantly going for their insatiable appetite for more and more taxes, for their bottomless money pit," Hilton said. "We need to cut spending and cut taxes so that we can give relief to families and businesses."

The two Republicans, Hilton and Bianco, avoided criticizing each other and focused their remarks on the Democrats, who represent a larger share of the state's registered voters—Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two-to-one.

Bianco predicted that he and Hilton would secure the top two spots and advance to the November runoff, a scenario some polls indicate as possible given the fragmented Democratic field.

© 2026 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.

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