The California gubernatorial race for 2026 took a chaotic turn during a live debate on CNN, highlighting the intense competition among candidates. Moderated by Kaitlan Collins, the two-hour event featured Democratic frontrunner Xavier Becerra facing significant criticism from his rivals on various issues, including immigration, health care, and a campaign finance scandal.
Key Issues and Candidates’ Performances
As ballots begin to arrive in voters’ mailboxes, recent polling indicates a tight race. Becerra and Republican contender Steve Hilton are currently tied at 18%, followed by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 14% and billionaire Tom Steyer at 12%. With Governor Gavin Newsom unable to seek re-election due to term limits, heated discussions evolved around immigration, President Donald Trump, taxation, temperament, and various scandals.
Becerra, who previously served as the Health and Human Services Secretary under President Joe Biden, attempted to dismiss repeated references to his name as his opponents criticized him. “I think everyone’s invoking my name. It’s nice to hear my name quite a bit,” Becerra stated. However, he also expressed concern about opponents distorting facts and using misinformation to gain an advantage.
Controversies Surrounding Becerra
During the debate, Becerra faced pointed questions regarding his handling of unaccompanied immigrant minors while at HHS, his approach to single-payer health care, and a recent indictment-related controversy involving a longtime adviser and campaign consultants accused of taking approximately $225,000 from one of his former campaign accounts. While Becerra has not been accused of any wrongdoing and is often characterized as a victim in the accusations, his rivals seized the opportunity to question his credibility.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa challenged Becerra about a significant payment made to one of the indicted consultants, stating, “It doesn’t pass the smell test.” The candidates’ discussions on health care proved particularly heated, as Becerra was accused of changing his stance on single-payer—a key concern for many liberal voters. Becerra denied claims that he told the California Medical Association he would not endorse single-payer if he became governor, insisting, “Those reports were inaccurate. I continue to be for Medicare for all.”
Debate Dynamics and Personal Conduct
Katie Porter, another candidate, pressed Becerra on whether he would support a state-run single-payer system, criticizing his lack of commitment. She remarked, “Covering everyone with something is not single-payer…you won’t say whether you support California having its own state-run single-payer system.” Meanwhile, Steyer, who previously opposed single-payer during his 2020 presidential campaign, now endorses a statewide plan called CalCare, which has an estimated implementation cost of $731 billion by 2027.
During the debate, Porter also faced scrutiny for a video in which she used profanity to reprimand a staff member. When Collins brought it up, Porter expressed her regret for the incident and acknowledged her past mistake, emphasizing that she had already taken responsibility for it years ago.
Critiques of Health Care Proposals
Villaraigosa labeled the concept of single-payer health care in California as unrealistic, arguing that it would necessitate approval from the Trump administration. Hilton, drawing on his experience with the UK’s government-run health care system, voiced his strong opposition, stating, “As a patient, it nearly killed me,” referring to his dissatisfaction with the system and warning about its implications on patient satisfaction and costs.
The debate not only revealed the candidates’ policy perspectives but also highlighted their personal conduct issues, showcasing a race that is complex and filled with both policy discussions and personal controversies.