Winners and losers of the CBS California gubernatorial debate

Key Points:

• The final California governor debate featured six leading candidates but failed to inspire voters or present clear visions for the state's future, with many candidates relying on nostalgic appeals rather than forward-looking plans.
• Antonio Villaraigosa, Xavier Becerra, and Katie Porter referenced past achievements, while Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton criticized Democrats and longed for a return to earlier times; only Matt Mahan and Tom Steyer avoided nostalgia but struggled to connect effectively.
• Becerra, the frontrunner, faced significant attacks over his record and a campaign finance scandal involving former aides, though he defended himself as a victim in the matter; his subdued debate performance contrasted with Steyer’s mixed showing as a progressive challenger.
• The debate was low-energy and polite, with little impact on shifting voter preferences; Porter delivered her best performance but remains a long shot, while Hilton’s controversial stance on extraditing abortion providers drew concern for its potential risks to women's access to care.
• Observers suggest the race may hinge more on polling and voter turnout than debate performances, with many Democrats waiting until the last minute to vote for the candidate most likely to advance in the top-two primary system.