{"id":778790,"date":"2026-05-07T04:10:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T04:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/778790\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T04:10:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T04:10:14","slug":"california-governor-debate-live-updates-candidates-face-off-in-los-angeles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/778790\/","title":{"rendered":"California Governor Debate Live Updates: Candidates Face Off in Los Angeles"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Jill<\/a>\"Pooja<\/a>Updated\u00a0<\/p>\n

May 6, 2026, 11:40 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

A policy-heavy start to Wednesday night\u2019s 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\u2019s problems as much as taking shots at their opponents.<\/p>\n

In a contest that has no incumbent<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

The debate, held in Los Angeles, was the second in as many days in Southern California, as the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom \u2014 who is ineligible to run again because of term limits \u2014 enters its late stages before the June 2 primary.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s credentials and straining to be heard above the din.<\/p>\n

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 \u201cmight\u201d need a lecture from him on being a mother.<\/p>\n

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 \u201ctalking head\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what to know:<\/p>\n