SouthernWorldwide.com – In the lead-up to California’s gubernatorial primary election, scheduled for just over a month from now, the race remains highly competitive and unpredictable.
A recent gubernatorial debate showcased a diverse range of perspectives among the six Democratic candidates. These candidates, largely polling closely together, presented their visions for the state’s future.
Simultaneously, two Republican contenders engaged in their own battle for a spot on the general election ballot. The debate, hosted by CBS News, featured the largest number of participants in the race so far.
The Democratic field includes progressive candidates like Tom Steyer and Katie Porter, who are competing against more moderate figures such as Xavier Becerra and Matt Mahan. Antonio Villaraigosa and Tony Thurmond are also part of this diverse group.
Interestingly, the leading candidate in a recent CBS News poll for the traditionally Democratic state is a Republican. Steve Hilton, who has received an endorsement from former President Trump, is currently ahead. Chad Bianco, another Republican candidate, is trailing Hilton by a small margin.
However, the gap between Hilton and the leading Democrat, Tom Steyer, is only one percentage point. With a significant portion of voters, one-fourth, still undecided, the outcome of the primary remains uncertain.
Candidates addressed key issues that are significant to California voters, as highlighted by new CBS News polling. These issues include healthcare, insurance, education, homelessness, and immigration.
The pervasive theme across all these topics was affordability. Candidates presented their proposed solutions to the high cost of living that Californians face daily. The debate clearly delineated the opposing viewpoints between the Republican candidates and the more progressive Democrats.
The Republicans attributed the state’s high costs to years of Democratic leadership. In contrast, the progressive candidates positioned themselves as agents of change.
Xavier Becerra, who previously served as the Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden, has seen a rise in his poll numbers. This increase has occurred following the withdrawal of former Representative Eric Swalwell from the race.
Becerra emphasized his experience in federal government and highlighted his credentials as a moderate candidate. He entered the debate at Pomona College with considerable momentum, making him a target for attacks from his rivals on stage.
Since Swalwell, also a moderate, exited the gubernatorial contest amid allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied, Becerra has gained traction, reaching double-digit support in polls conducted by CBS News and Emerson College.
Both Republican and Democratic opponents have taken notice of Becerra’s ascent in the polls. However, he still trails behind the Republican frontrunner, Steve Hilton, and Tom Steyer in the most recent CBS News poll.
Matt Mahan, the mayor of San Jose and another candidate vying for the moderate vote, challenged Becerra on specific policy proposals. Mahan criticized Becerra’s plan for a freeze on home insurance rates, stating that “Xavier’s plan won’t work.”
Katie Porter, a former congresswoman from the Orange County area, also took aim at Becerra, referring to his “lovely plans” as lacking concrete numerical backing.
When Becerra was questioned about his strategy for addressing the expiration of healthcare subsidies for Californians, he used the opportunity to deliver a notable critique of the Republican frontrunner.
“The first thing we have to do is stop Steve Hilton’s daddy,” Becerra declared, referencing President Trump’s endorsement of Hilton. The former California Attorney General asserted that the state requires “someone who’s going to fight Donald Trump, not agree with him.”
Katie Porter expressed satisfaction with her performance during the debate, particularly in navigating the frequent interjections from other candidates. She told CBS News that she felt she had a good opportunity to highlight the distinctions between herself and the other contenders.
“I thought I had a good chance to make some points of differentiation between me and the other candidates,” Porter stated. “It was at times — reminded me of my kids a little bit at the dinner table, going bickering back and forth.”
As the sole woman among the leading candidates, Porter emphasized her perspective as a mother and acknowledged the concerns of voters regarding the escalating cost of living.
“I’m a single mom of three teenagers. I worry that that one kid is never going to get off my couch and get into a home. I’m somebody who’s concerned about child care, because I’ve paid the bills and I’ve gassed up my minivan,” Porter shared.
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Despite a strong initial showing in Emerson polling back in September 2025, Porter’s numbers have seen a consistent decline. She also faced scrutiny over a resurfaced video depicting her reprimanding a former staffer, as well as a contentious interview with Julie Watts of CBS News California, who also moderated the debate.
Similar to Tom Steyer, Porter has adopted progressive stances on a variety of issues, including advocating for single-payer healthcare.
Tom Steyer, a former presidential candidate, positioned himself as the sole “change agent” in the race and the only candidate willing to confront special interest groups.
“The problem in California is: People can’t afford to live here anymore, can’t afford to buy a house and aren’t getting the education they deserve. And in order to change that, we’re going to have to take on the corporate special interests that are driving up your costs and profiting off you. I am the person who is willing to do that,” Steyer stated during the debate.
Steyer’s background is somewhat unconventional for a progressive leader. Forbes estimates his net worth at $2.4 billion. He amassed his wealth through a hedge fund before shifting his focus to environmental activism and becoming a significant Democratic donor.
Other candidates have raised questions about his financial background. During a discussion where Steyer criticized California’s oil companies for pollution, Porter inquired about his hedge fund’s past investments in similar fossil fuel companies. Steyer has previously acknowledged these investments, characterizing them as “mistakes.”
Steyer has received an endorsement from Our Revolution, a political organization founded by Bernie Sanders. This organization is dedicated to electing progressives and “fighting the oligarch agenda.” The group has commended Steyer’s efforts to “challenge the very system that benefits people like him.”
A significant and contentious issue in the race is a proposed one-time 5% tax on billionaires’ assets, which will be presented to California voters as a ballot initiative in November. CBS News polling indicates that a majority of California voters support an additional state tax on billionaires, while Republicans oppose it.
Neither of the Republican candidates supports this proposal. However, not all Democratic candidates are in agreement either. Becerra, Porter, and Villaraigosa have expressed their opposition to the tax to Politico. Mahan, in an opinion piece, stated that a billionaire tax would “crash [the state’s] innovation engine.”
Steyer has generally supported higher taxes on billionaires but has expressed reservations about the specific design of this tax. Tony Thurmond has publicly backed the measure.
Governor Gavin Newsom, however, is not a proponent of the tax. He has indicated that he believes it could negatively impact the state’s economy and budget by potentially causing its wealthiest residents to relocate. The tax was initially proposed by the Service Employees International Healthcare Workers Union West.
The two Republican candidates in the race, Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, squarely blamed the state’s extensive Democratic leadership for California’s severe affordability challenges.
“California is broken because of what has been happening in Sacramento, because of an absolute failed Democrat, progressive agenda that is destroying California,” declared Bianco, who serves as the sheriff of Riverside County.
Bianco’s remarks align with sentiments expressed in recent CBS News polling among Republicans in California. The poll found that Republicans in the state believe the economic situation is not just poor but is worse than the national economy.
Both Bianco and Hilton pledged to reduce taxes in the state. This includes eliminating the state’s gas tax, which is currently the highest in the nation. Democratic candidates, including Becerra, Porter, and Steyer, have stated they would not abolish the gas tax if elected.
Given California’s nonpartisan “jungle” primary system, the top two vote-getters on June 2 will advance to the November general election, irrespective of their party affiliation.
With the Democratic field notably divided, some Democrats are concerned that their party could be excluded from the general election if the field does not consolidate before the June 2 primary.
The latest CBS News polling indicates that the race remains highly competitive. The two leading candidates, Hilton and Steyer, are polling in the mid-teens, with most other candidates closely following. Currently, the number of undecided voters exceeds the support for any single candidate in the race.
