5 Takeaways From the Latest Debate in the California Governor’s Race

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5 Takeaways From the Latest Debate in the California Governor’s Race

The candidates felt pressure to differentiate themselves, with ballots going out to voters next week. The result was a more spirited battle than past debates.

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Eight candidates took the stage at Pomona College in one of the final debates in the California gubernatorial primary race.

Credit...

Mario Tama/Getty Images

By

Laurel Rosenhall

and

Soumya Karlamangla

Laurel Rosenhall reported from Claremont, Calif.

April 29, 2026,

1:27 a.m. ET

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Eight candidates for California governor vigorously sparred during a debate in Claremont, Calif., on Tuesday night as each tried to break out of a field that remains tightly bunched.

The event at Pomona College, in front of a student audience, came just one week before California voters will begin receiving mailed ballots and start voting in the June primary.

Five of the eight candidates are polling close to each other, and the televised debate, sponsored by CBS California and Asian Pacific American Public Affairs, was an opportunity to try to seize momentum in the turbulent race. The candidates are running to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, who cannot seek re-election because of term limits.

Among the five leaders are three Democrats: Tom Steyer, a former hedge fund manager; Xavier Becerra, a former California attorney general and Biden administration cabinet secretary; and Katie Porter, a former congresswoman. Two Republicans are also near the front of the pack: Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host; and Chad Bianco, the sheriff of Riverside County.

But there is still time for one or two candidates to rise above the rest, as polls show that many voters remain undecided. In California’s nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who receive the most votes will advance to the November election, regardless of their party affiliation.

Here are five takeaways from the debate.

Becerra was the biggest target of the night.

Mr. Becerra has surged in the race since Eric Swalwell, a Democratic congressman, dropped out earlier this month amid accusations of sexual assault. For months before that, most candidates barely paid much attention to Mr. Becerra, who was polling so poorly that he

wasn’t invited to a debate

in March.

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