California contenders debate as Ca Governor Race Polls begin
Seven leading contenders in California’s governor race debated Tuesday night as ca governor race polls began and voters started casting ballots in the nonpartisan primary. The two-hour debate aired as millions of Californians already had mail-in ballots in hand before the 2 June primary.
That timing gave the candidates a narrow opening to reach voters before ballots are marked and returned. Under California’s jungle primary, the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party, and a recent California Democratic Party survey found undecided voters had fallen from 24% in early April to 14%.
Tuesday Night Debate
Steve Hilton opened by telling viewers, "This is a very serious moment for California. The ballots are out there in your hands, and we have a really big choice to make, which is, do we go for another four years of one party rule?" He also said California needed "some fresh thinking after 16 years of one-party rule."
Xavier Becerra responded by presenting himself as the most qualified candidate. He said, "You have to deliver," and added, "And I have a proven record of delivering results."
Katie Porter sharpened the exchange with Donald Trump, saying, "Donald Trump sucks." Becerra called Trump California’s "real menace," while Antonio Villaraigosa pressed Hilton to say Trump lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden.
Swalwell's Exit
The field changed weeks before the debate when former Democratic congressman Eric Swalwell withdrew from the race amid sexual assault and harassment allegations, which he strongly denies. Becerra’s rise followed that exit.
The race is to succeed outgoing Democratic governor Gavin Newsom, and Democrats enter it with a two-to-one voter registration advantage over Republicans. Hilton has been endorsed by Trump, giving him a line of attack that he used repeatedly as the campaign moved into the ballot-return period.
Ballots Before June 2
Matt Mahan added another line of attack when he said, "Election denial certainly is running a campaign in a different way." With ballots already in circulation and the primary set for 2 June, candidates now have a short window to reach voters who have not yet voted.
The race now turns on who can convert early attention into actual ballots before the June primary. For voters, the practical step is straightforward: return the ballot already in hand, or make a final choice before the deadline closes the field for the top-two count.
