As candidates for governor of California struggle to stand out in their bids to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), a Wednesday debate saw deep policy debate devolve into bickering among the crowded field.
Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra (D) was a main focus for his rivals, underscoring his surge in support after former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) dropped his bid and rattled the field last month. Becerra is jostling for the Democratic lead alongside billionaire Tom Steyer, who also took heat from his half-dozen fellow debaters.
Republican former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton has taken the top slot in several recent polls despite California's status as a blue stronghold, as multiple serious Democrat contenders divide support among themselves.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan (D), former Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (R) rounded out the lineup for the hour-long program, hosted by NBCLA and Telemundo 52. This was the last scheduled debate before the June primary.
The debate saw candidates delve into policy discussions, but the night was crowded with crosstalk and interruptions between the primary rivals, as well as sparring with moderators over time limits and speaking rules.
What the Right Is Saying
Bianco interrupted Porter mid-answer on sanctuary laws with "Tell that to a crazy mother who lost her child," prompting Porter to respond, "Sir, I don't need any lectures from you about being a mother." Bianco's response of "You might" prompted boos from the audience.
Hilton, despite California's status as a reliably Democratic state, has topped several recent polls. His campaign argued that the crowded Democratic field and splintered progressive vote create an opening for a Republican candidate in November under California's nonpartisan primary system, where the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party affiliation.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic candidates framed the debate as an opportunity to contrast their visions for California's future. Becerra responded to attacks from Villaraigosa, a fellow Latino politician from Los Angeles, by saying "cálmate, Antonio, cálmate."
Porter addressed immigration-related policies by stating, "We ought to enforce the existing sanctuary laws everywhere so we don't have crazy cowboys taking the law into their own hands." The comment drew sharp criticism from Republican challenger Bianco.
The California Democratic Party has called for candidates stuck in the single digits to seriously consider exiting the race. Both Becerra and Steyer's campaigns emphasized their momentum coming out of this week's debates, noting that previous lackluster performances at two debates last month did little to clear the field.
Villaraigosa pushed back on Porter's question about his top priority being film industry revitalization, while Hilton called the ranking question "a weird question, to be honest" as moderators attempted to move through final yes-or-no questions.
What the Numbers Show
A CBS News/YouGov poll from late last month showed Steyer at 15 percent support and Hilton leading with 16 percent. Becerra and Bianco were the only other contenders with double-digit support.
A new survey from the California Democratic Party ahead of this week's debate found Becerra and Hilton tied for first place at 18 percent each, followed by Bianco at 14 percent and Steyer at 12 percent.
The Golden State's unique nonpartisan primary system has opened the door to concerns that two Republicans could advance to the general if Democratic support remains too splintered. However, experts and polling models suggest that possibility has become increasingly unlikely, with multiple serious Democratic candidates still in contention.
Swalwell's exit helped shrink the field, and former California state controller Betty Yee also ended her bid last month. Their names will still appear on ballots that have already begun to hit mailboxes.
The Bottom Line
The debate highlighted the challenges facing California's crowded gubernatorial race as the June primary approaches. Candidates dove into policy particulars including affordability, housing policy and insurance, but were repeatedly derailed by interruptions and crosstalk.
With the last scheduled debate now complete, candidates will look to consolidate support in the weeks remaining before primary day. The focus on Becerra and Steyer has emphasized their momentum, though it remains unclear whether the debates have moved voter preferences significantly among a fractured Democratic electorate.