Top candidates face off in the CBS California Governor's Debate
Top candidates in California's 2026 gubernatorial race faced off in a CBS debate covering key issues like gas prices, housing, insurance, and education. The live event, held at Pomona College, featured eight major contenders vying for voter attention ahead of the June 2 primary. With an open primary system, the top two vote-getters will advance to the November general election regardless of party. A recent CBS News poll shows Republican Steve Hilton leading narrowly with 16% support among likely voters.
- ▪The debate included Democrats Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, and Antonio Villaraigosa, along with Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton.
- ▪Katie Porter criticized California's FAIR Plan as a 'huge financial liability' and proposed using state funds to lower reinsurance costs.
- ▪Tom Steyer blamed high gas prices on President Trump and the war with Iran, advocating for outsourcing oil refining to reduce price gouging.
- ▪Xavier Becerra defended his plan to temporarily freeze homeowners' insurance rates, despite concerns about its constitutionality.
- ▪A CBS News poll released ahead of the debate shows Steve Hilton leading at 16%, followed closely by Tom Steyer at 15% and Xavier Becerra at 13%.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Local News Highlights from the CBS California Governor's Debate, where candidates squared off on gas prices, housing and more By Austin Turner, Austin Turner Web Producer, CBS News Los Angeles Austin Turner is a web producer at CBS News Los Angeles. An Inland Empire native, Austin earned a degree in journalism from San Jose State University in 2020. Before joining CBS News in 2025, he worked at KTLA, the San Jose Mercury News, the Sedona Red Rock News and various other outlets as a news and sports reporter. Read Full Bio Austin Turner, Richard Ramos Richard Ramos Web Producer, CBS Sacramento Richard Ramos is a web producer for CBS Sacramento who was born and raised in Sacramento. He graduated with a BA in Journalism from CSUS.
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