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
