California Governor's Debate Highlights Key Policy Disputes Eight candidates vying for California’s governorship clashed during a heated debate on April 28, 2026, at Pomona College’s Bridges Auditorium. The event, hosted by CBS News affiliates, marked a pivotal moment in a crowded race that has seen former Rep. Eric Swalwell exit the contest earlier this month. The candidates, representing both major parties, focused on affordability, healthcare, and climate policy, with sharp exchanges and strategic attacks shaping the discussion. Xavier Becerra, the former Health and Human Services secretary under President Joe Biden, emerged as the leading contender, though his position was challenged by opponents from both sides. Becerra, who entered the race with rising poll numbers and fundraising support, faced direct criticism from Republican Steve Hilton and Democratic rival Matt Mahan. During the 90-minute debate, Becerra leveraged his experience in healthcare policy, criticizing former President Donald Trump’s influence on Hilton and defending his record on pandemic response and public health initiatives. When asked about the expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium subsidies, Becerra accused Trump of enabling Hilton’s policies, declaring, “The first thing we have to do is stop Steve Hilton’s daddy.” Hilton responded by asserting that Democrats “can’t do anything but blame Trump,” sparking a back-and-forth that underscored the candidates’ differing views on federal healthcare funding. Becerra also dismissed Mahan’s claim that he was “defending the status quo,” arguing that his tenure as California attorney general and HHS secretary had expanded healthcare access nationwide.#cbs_news #steve_hilton #california_governor #xavier_becerra #pomona_college
Exclusive: Four Women Describe Sexual Misconduct by Rep. Eric Swalwell, Including a Former Staffer Who Says He Raped Her A former staffer of Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading Democratic candidate for California governor, alleges that the congressman raped her while she was heavily intoxicated, leaving her bruised and bleeding. The incident, which the woman claims occurred in 2024 after she had left Swalwell’s office, is one of several allegations against the congressman, which he has categorically denied. The woman described the encounter as a second instance of nonconsensual sexual contact with Swalwell, following a 2019 incident in which she awoke naked in a hotel room after a night of heavy drinking, with no memory of what happened but physical evidence of sexual contact. Another woman, who connected with Swalwell online through her interest in Democratic politics, recounted being left extremely drunk in his hotel room after a night out with him. She described being kissed and touched without consent during the evening, with little recollection of the events afterward. A third woman, social media creator Ally Sammarco, said she initially reached out to Swalwell on Twitter to discuss politics, expecting no response. She was surprised when he replied, though she later alleged he sent her unsolicited nude messages. Swalwell’s campaign and legal team have dismissed the allegations as false, with his attorney sending cease-and-desist letters to two of the women interviewed by CNN. The letters accused the women of fabricating their accounts and warned of legal consequences if they continued speaking out. The attorney also denied that Swalwell had ever engaged in nonconsensual sexual activity with any woman or staff member. CNN’s investigation found corroboration for key elements of each woman’s claims.#cnn #rep_erik_swalwell #ally_sammarco #cheyenne_hunt #california_governor
