California governor debate: Candidates clash over gas prices, immigration, taxes
ABC7 Los Angeles • • nation
Key Points:
- Seven candidates for California governor debated sharply on issues including gas prices, taxes, and immigration, with no clear frontrunner emerging.
- The debate highlighted deep divisions, especially over the causes of high gas prices, with Democrats blaming national factors like President Trump and the Iran conflict, while Republicans pointed to California's own policies.
- Candidates sparred on tax policies, with billionaire Tom Steyer supporting a one-time tax on billionaires, while others criticized tax proposals as either insufficient or overly focused on expanding government.
- The race is notable for its wide-open field amid California's ongoing challenges such as homelessness, wildfire insurance shortages, budget shortfalls, and high living costs.
- California’s top-two primary system raises concerns among Democrats that vote-splitting could allow two Republicans to advance, a significant risk given the state's strong Democratic voter registration advantage.
