Updated
May 6, 2026, 11:40 p.m. ET
A policy-heavy start to Wednesday night’s debate for California governor descended into a feisty and combative affair, in which seven candidates tried distinguishing themselves by dispensing ideas for solving the state’s problems as much as taking shots at their opponents.
In a contest that has no incumbent, and one in which a leading Democratic candidate dropped out last month after sex abuse allegations, the candidates on Wednesday night agreed on broad issues such as unaffordable housing, pervasive homelessness and the high cost of home insurance, but offered differing policy solutions.
The debate, held in Los Angeles, was the second in as many days in Southern California, as the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom — who is ineligible to run again because of term limits — enters its late stages before the June 2 primary.
The debate opened with a focus on the costs of living in California, where the candidates agreed on a need for more affordable housing, and where wildfires have sent insurance costs soaring. But after a policy-heavy first half, the debate assumed a contentious tone, with candidates attacking one another’s credentials and straining to be heard above the din.
During a particularly icy exchange about sanctuary policies, Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff and one of two Republicans onstage, told the former Representative Katie Porter, a Democrat, that she “might” need a lecture from him on being a mother.
Xavier Becerra, a former state attorney general and Biden cabinet secretary who has emerged as a Democratic front-runner, went at Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, calling him a “talking head” who had no experience in public service. Mr. Hilton then accused Mr. Becerra of breaking state and federal law, referring to a federal indictment in which his former chief of staff pleaded guilty to a corruption scheme. Mr. Becerra has not been accused of any crimes.
Here’s what to know:
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Immigration: Mr. Bianco said that immigrants have perpetrated many violent crimes, while the billionaire businessman Tom Steyer repeated earlier refrains to abolish ICE. Mr. Hilton, who immigrated to the U.S. from Britain, presented himself as the candidate “for the legal immigrant” community.
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Mayors in the mix: Mayor Matt Mahan of San Jose, Calif., and Antonio Villaraigosa, the former mayor of Los Angeles, both Democrats, demonstrated how they were trying to find the center. Mr. Mahan criticized overregulation as hurtful for business, and Mr. Villaraigosa said California was one of the worst states in which to do business.
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Democratic anxiety: Because the top two candidates in the June 2 primary will advance to November’s general election regardless of party, there has been unusual anxiety among Democratic leaders that their crowded field could allow two Republicans could advance, freezing Democrats out of the general election.
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