Sacramento, California– The two leading candidates for California governor clashed in a heated debate Tuesday over everything from a proposed tax on billionaires to state-funded health care for immigrants in the country illegally.
the Debate broadcast on CNNIt was one of their last chances to present themselves to voters and stand out from the crowd Primary elections He is seeking to succeed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose term ends in January. Mail-in voting is already underway, and voters have until June 2 to cast their ballots. The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election in November, regardless of party.
Although California has not had a Republican governor in more than a decade, the specter looms over the race as the field remains crowded with less than a month to go.
Among the candidates who participated in the debate were Democrats Xavier Becerra, former health secretary in the Biden administration; Katie Porter, former congresswoman; Tom Steyera billionaire climate activist; Matt Mahan, Mayor of San Jose; Antonio Villaraigosa, former mayor of Los Angeles; So are Republicans Steve Hilton, a conservative commentator; and Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff.
Here’s how they responded to some key issues:
The two candidates debated whether to abolish private health insurance in favor of a state-run system, an idea that came to pass Failed over and over again In Sacramento.
Porter, who supports a government-run health care system, pressed Becerra on his position since he has hesitated on the issue recently.
“Do you support CalCare – California has a state-run single-payer system, yes or no?” Porter asked.
Becerra gave a vague answer.
“The most important thing about having a Medicare for All plan is that it includes everyone,” he said. “What we have to do is get to the point where we cover everyone with something like Medicare for All.”
Mahan, who opposes the state-run system, later intervened and said Becerra “was not able to clearly answer the most important question about health care.”
“You answered that question,” Becerra protested.
Steyer joined Porter in saying he would support it, while Bianco, Hilton and Villaraigosa said it was not practical or would cost too much.
When the debate turned to immigrants’ access to health care, the candidates were divided.
Steyer, Porter and Becerra said they support state-funded health care coverage for low-income immigrants without legal status, which Newsom passed then Trim back. Bianco described this policy as “ridiculous.”
Other arguments about immigration were largely along party lines.
Democrats strongly criticized the Trump administration’s immigration raids.
Steyer said the state should prosecute federal agents and immigration enforcement leaders who racially profile or use violence against Californians. Business owners in San Jose have lost customers because many immigrants are afraid to leave their homes, Mahan said.
But Bianco said he supports Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s actions, saying agents are enforcing the law and working to deport people he referred to as “criminals” who are in the country illegally.
Hilton, who is from England, noted that he was the only immigrant on stage. He said candidates should not confuse legal and illegal immigration.
“Although it is the responsibility of the federal government to determine and enforce immigration policy, I believe it is important that all laws be applied peacefully,” Hilton said. “As governor, I will make sure we work with the federal government to enforce our laws.”
Both Democrats stressed that they would fight Trump on immigration policy in particular.
Neither Hilton, who has been endorsed by Trump, nor Bianco cited him much except to say that Democrats unfairly blame him for the state’s problems.
Becerra mentioned Trump the most, noting that he sued the administration several times while serving as the state’s attorney general from 2017 to 2021, when he was appointed health secretary under then-President Joe Biden.
“I will repeat Donald Trump as much as I do, because he represents the danger,” Becerra declared.
When Villaraigosa pressed Hilton to acknowledge Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election, Hilton refused to respond.
“Talk about Donald Trump endlessly does not serve the needs of struggling families and small businesses,” Hilton said.
Mahan sought a compromise. He said Becerra was wrong to blame Trump alone for rising gas prices, but he also noted that San Jose has sued the Trump administration over immigration policy. He said it was disqualifying for Republican candidates to support Trump’s “cruel and ineffective policies.”
Meanwhile, Porter simply said: “Donald Trump is bad.”
Steyer was the only candidate on stage to say he would vote for A.J Proposed billionaire tax He is expected to appear before voters in November. The one-time tax proposal aims to plug funding cuts Trump signed into law that reduced access to health care for low-income people.
Porter also supports some increased taxes on California’s wealthy, but described the proposed tax as a temporary solution to a long-term problem.
Meanwhile, Mahan said he would suspend the gas tax because it unfairly burdens working families.
Hilton will make people’s first $100,000 income tax-free.
Mahan and Steyer said they would tax AI companies and use the money to support workers, for example through workforce development training.
“The solution is to tax these companies, not regulate them to the point that they simply go elsewhere,” Mahan said.