California governor candidates to face off in what may be last debate before June primary

Ben Paviour, The Sacramento Bee on May 14, 2026

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Seven of the leading contenders for California governor will meet Thursday evening for what’s likely to be the final debate ahead of the June 2 primary in the race to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The event will be the fifth debate in less than a month and comes as two candidates – Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton – show signs of breaking away from the pack.

Recent polling shows a race that remains tight. An Emerson College poll released Wednesday found 40% of likely voters who listed a top candidate were open to changing their mind. The same poll showed Becerra with 19% support, compared to 17% for Hilton and Democrat Tom Steyer. Several other recent polls have shown Becerra with a larger lead, though some of those surveys were paid for by groups with a stake in the race.

What to expect at the debate

Becerra will likely face renewed questions about his connection to a Sacramento corruption case involving a former aide who pleaded guilty to stealing Becerra’s campaign funds. Federal prosecutors have characterized Becerra as a victim in the scheme, but that hasn’t stopped rivals like former Rep. Katie Porter from insinuating there may be another shoe to drop in the case.

The story is going to be fresh in voters minds because Dana Williamson, a Democratic consultant and former Newsom chief of staff accused of helping to orchestrate the scheme, is expected to plead guilty to federal charges in court on Thursday, The Bee reported Wednesday.

Other candidates, like former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, are also likely to repeat attacks on Becerra’s record as U.S. secretary of health and human services and his recent on-camera exchange with a KTLA TV reporter where he asked whether the interview would be a “profile piece” or “gotcha piece.” Several candidates, including Steyer, a hedge fund manager-turned progressive activist, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, have turned the moment into ads suggesting Becerra cannot handle scrutiny.

Steyer’s status as the field’s only billionaire, and his past investments in private prisons and fossil fuels, have made him a target in past debates. If the Democrats unite, it will likely be to denounce Hilton, a former Fox News host endorsed by President Donald Trump, and fellow Republican Chad Bianco, sheriff of Riverside County.

Where to watch the debate

The 90-minute debate will be held at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco and moderated by journalists from CBS California and the San Francisco Examiner. CBS stations across the state will carry the debate over the air waves and their websites beginning at 5:30 PM.

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