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
Xavier Becerra surges in poll after Eric Swalwell drops out of California governor's race A significant shift has occurred in the California governor's race following the withdrawal of former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who had been a leading contender, due to multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. A new poll conducted by Emerson College’s Inside California Politics reveals a notable change in voter support, with Xavier Becerra emerging as the biggest beneficiary of Swalwell’s exit. The poll, released shortly after Swalwell’s withdrawal and amid President Trump’s endorsement of Republican Steve Hilton, shows Becerra’s support rising to 10%, a seven-point increase since March. This surge positions him as a key player in the race, despite remaining behind the leading Republican candidate, Hilton, who holds 17% of the vote. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco follows with 14%, while billionaire Tom Steyer, another Democratic candidate, trails at 14%. Former Rep. Katie Porter and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan each secure 10% and 5%, respectively. The poll also highlights a substantial portion of undecided voters, with 23% of respondents yet to commit to a candidate. Politics professor Sara Sadhwani of Pomona College emphasized the volatility of the race, stating that Swalwell’s exit has created a “huge vacuum” and intensified uncertainty. Zev Yaroslavsky, director of UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs, noted that Becerra’s rise is the most significant development in the survey, calling him “the biggest move” in the race. Yaroslavsky further speculated that Trump’s endorsement of Hilton could bolster the Republican’s position over time, potentially pushing Bianco’s support downward. However, he acknowledged that the race remains competitive, with over 30% of voters still undecided.#eric_swalwell #steve_hilton #chad_bianco #tom_steyer #xavier_becerra
California Governor’s Race: Tensions Rise Between Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco Polling in the 2026 California governor’s race has placed former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at the top of the Republican field, with some surveys indicating they could potentially advance to the November runoff against the Democratic candidates. Despite both being conservative Republicans aligned with former President Donald Trump, the two candidates have openly criticized each other over key issues, including law enforcement policies, immigration, and their responses to the Black Lives Matter movement. Bianco has accused Hilton of undermining the possibility of two Republicans winning by adopting a “destructive” strategy against his opponents. During an interview with ABC7 political reporter Josh Haskell, Bianco claimed that Hilton’s tactics have “ruined that chance,” arguing that the former Fox News host’s approach has focused on attacking his rivals rather than addressing the broader challenges facing California. Bianco emphasized that Hilton’s actions have contributed to the unrest in Riverside, where he was involved in a controversial incident during the George Floyd protests in June 2020. Hilton, however, has dismissed Bianco’s claims as false. He criticized Bianco for allegedly “buckling in the face of pressure” during the protests, referencing a moment when Bianco called on Black Lives Matter protesters to collaborate with him. Hilton created a website called BLM Bianco to highlight this incident, which he claims shows Bianco’s supposed alignment with the movement. Bianco responded by calling Hilton a “liar,” insisting that he was the first law enforcement leader in the country to “stand up to BLM” and use “an overwhelming show of force” to disperse protesters.#steve_hilton #chad_bianco #josh_haskell #george_floyd_protests #gavin_newsom
