California Governor Debate: No Clear Leader

0:00On April 23rd, six candidates hit the stage Wednesday for California's first big governor debate since Eric Swalwell dropped out over misconduct, claims keeping this wide open race unpredictable with no clear leader yet. The lineup included two Republicans, Steve Hilton with his Trump endorsement and Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, facing off against Democrats like billionaire Tom Steyer, ex-health secretary Xavier Basera, congresswoman Katie Porter, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. They clashed on fixing homelessness, sky-high living costs, housing shortages, and even AI risks. Democrats mostly stuck together on policies but traded barbs, with Porter pitching herself as the everyday fighter and Mahan hitting Steyer's past, investments. Republicans blamed 16 years of one-party rule for the mess while everyone tried to stand out to undecided voters, nearly a quarter of whom. Haven't picked aside. No knockout moments emerged, but late risers like Basera and Mahan grabbed spots after

1:01Swalwell's fall, and the state party chair is pushing. Low polling dems to bow out amid fears of a vote split. Under the jungle primary, just the top two advanced to November no matter the party. With ballots dropping in mailboxes in under two weeks for the June 2nd primary, this debate kept the heat on, but left the path to Sacramento as twisty as ever.