California Governor’s Race: Becerra Under Fire in High-Stakes Final Debate

As the June 2 primary approaches, the race to replace termed-out Governor Gavin Newsom has reached a fever pitch. In a contentious 90-minute CBS debate held at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra found himself the primary target of both Democratic and Republican rivals. The face-off served as a critical final opportunity for candidates to address voters in the nation’s most populous state and fourth-largest economy.

The Target: Xavier Becerra’s Rapid Rise and Recent Scandals

Xavier Becerra has surged in the polls following the April departure of former U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, who exited the race amid allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. However, Becerra’s momentum was met with a barrage of attacks during Thursday’s debate, centered largely on a corruption scandal involving his inner circle.

Hours before the debate, Becerra’s former campaign manager, Dana Williamson—who previously served as Newsom’s chief of staff—pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges. Williamson and a former top advisor are alleged to have illegally siphoned $225,000 from Becerra’s campaign accounts. While federal prosecutors have not accused Becerra of wrongdoing, his opponents used the news to question his judgment.

“This is what happens when you take the lead in the polls and you’re ahead of everyone else. They all come at you,” Becerra said. “I get it. So they have to try to beat you down. This is a great Trump tactic that’s used. I didn’t expect it to come from fellow Democrats.”

Republican candidate Steve Hilton suggested Becerra should focus on his own criminal defense rather than a gubernatorial run, while Democratic rival Katie Porter warned that future evidence could emerge to undercut his campaign, potentially paving the way for a Republican victory.

Battle Over Affordability and the Economy

Affordability remained a central theme, with candidates sparring over how to lower the cost of living for Californians. The debate highlighted a sharp ideological divide among the Democratic candidates:

• Tom Steyer: The billionaire hedge fund founder proposed structural changes and breaking up monopolies. Steyer pledged to tax big corporations and billionaires, including himself, to fund healthcare and education.
• Matt Mahan: The San José Mayor criticized Steyer’s approach as “socialism,” arguing that such plans would double the size of the state government and fail to drive affordability.
• Steve Hilton: The Trump-endorsed Republican countered Mahan by noting that Mahan’s own city was recently rated the least affordable for housing in the world.

A Divide on Climate Change

While the Republican candidates generally avoided attacking one another, they split significantly on the issue of climate change. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco argued that California is destroying its economy with “activist related” environmental regulations. While acknowledging that temperatures are increasing, Bianco stated he is not “naive” enough to believe humans can control the climate.

In contrast, Steve Hilton stated he believes in climate change and advocated for “common sense” over ideological responses, pointing to the state’s recent “mega-fires” as evidence that current policies are not working. Meanwhile, the Democratic candidates remained closely aligned, emphasizing the need to maintain environmental protections against the Trump administration.

The Fight for Visibility

With the primary looming, centrist Democrats Matt Mahan and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa—both polling in the single digits—made aggressive efforts to distinguish themselves.

Mahan positioned himself as the candidate of accountability, labeling Becerra the “embodiment of the status quo” and criticizing Hilton as a “Fox News talking head.” Villaraigosa leaned on his experience leading Los Angeles and the state Assembly, arguing that he is the only candidate willing to challenge Sacramento policies that contributed to homelessness, crime, and affordability issues.

Key Takeaways from the Final Debate

• Becerra’s Vulnerability: Despite leading the polls, Becerra is facing intense scrutiny over the guilty plea of his former campaign manager and past performance as attorney general regarding COVID-19 fraud.
• Republican Consolidation: Republican voters appear to be consolidating behind Steve Hilton, who carries the endorsement of Donald Trump.
• Democratic Split: The Democratic field remains divided, with the primary battle largely centering on the contrast between Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer.
• Primary Date: California voters will decide on June 2 which two candidates will advance to the November general election.

As ballots land in mailboxes, the race remains one of the most unsettled in recent history, with the final outcomes likely depending on whether Becerra can weather the current storm of scandals or if a challenger can capitalize on the instability.