‘Bickering’ and blaming Trump dominate California gubernatorial debate

Published May 6, 2026 1:21am ET | Updated May 6, 2026 8:36am ET



Seven candidates vying to be the next California governor participated in a primary debate on Tuesday night that featured a lot more fiery exchanges and aggressive verbal attacks than previous debates. 

The debate was hosted by CNN and moderated by Kaitlan Collins and Elix Michaelson. Two Republicans, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and businessman and political commentator Steve Hilton, and five Democrats, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former congressman Katie Porter, billionaire businessman Tom Steyer, and former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, were the participants.

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