LOS ANGELES — Eight contenders seeking California’s top executive office are gearing up for another televised face-off Tuesday evening as the state prepares to send out mail-in ballots within the coming week.
The mix of Democratic and Republican hopefuls — many still unfamiliar to much of the electorate — will attempt to convince voters they should succeed outgoing Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who cannot run for a third consecutive term.
The battle for leadership in America’s largest state by population comes as Sacramento grapples with persistent homelessness issues, wildfire insurance availability problems, anticipated budget deficits, and astronomical housing prices. Residents are simultaneously dealing with rising expenses for food, utilities, and fuel.
The hour-and-a-half forum will feature the top two GOP contenders, conservative media personality Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, alongside six Democratic candidates: former U.S. Representative Katie Porter, wealthy businessman Tom Steyer, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Biden administration Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, ex-Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and state education chief Tony Thurmond.
Porter told her supporters via email that she planned to take the stage “to fight for lowering costs for working families and Californians.”
“Because right now, Californians are getting crushed,” Porter stated.
A previous debate held last week, which did not include Villaraigosa and Thurmond, failed to produce any decisive moments or clear winners among the participants.
President Donald Trump — whose relationship with the heavily blue state has been consistently tense — will likely feature prominently in Tuesday’s discussion once again. Both Hilton and Bianco back the president, with Hilton receiving Trump’s official endorsement, while Democratic contenders have pledged to resist federal immigration enforcement operations and Trump’s conservative policy agenda.
California’s primary system places all candidates on one ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to November’s general election regardless of party affiliation. Democrats worry their large field of candidates could allow two Republicans to move forward, which would represent an unprecedented disaster for the party.
The Democratic Party has controlled California’s state government for many years. No Republican has won a statewide race in two decades, and Democratic voter registration exceeds Republican registration by approximately two-to-one across the state.
Steyer, a former hedge fund executive who became a progressive political activist, has spent heavily from his personal wealth on television advertisements but has not separated himself from other candidates.
The campaign landscape shifted significantly earlier this month following the dramatic exit of U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell amid sexual assault allegations. His departure from both the race and Congress removed what had been considered one of the frontrunning campaigns.
CBS will host the debate, broadcasting it on its California television stations and online platforms.
