Rivals Target Steyer, Becerra in Debate As California Governor Race Tightens

Key Points:

• Six leading candidates for California governor, including top Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer, debated key issues such as taxes, homelessness, and the Trump administration in a televised event in San Francisco.
• Steyer faced significant criticism from fellow Democrats over his wealth and past investments in private prisons and the oil industry, while Becerra was challenged for his corporate backing and lack of detailed policies.
• Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco avoided attacking each other, instead focusing on criticizing Democratic governance and promoting policies like suspending the state gas tax and addressing homelessness through substance use treatment.
• Democrats emphasized their own platforms and support for a unified party front ahead of the June 2 primary, with Becerra positioning himself as an experienced steady leader and Steyer highlighting opposition from wealthy interests.
• The debate highlighted the partisan divide on homelessness solutions and the potential for two Republicans to advance to the November runoff in a state where GOP candidates have not won statewide in two decades.