California Governor Debate: Top Contenders Face Off

0:00It's April 22nd. Welcome in. This is Durham News Today, where local news meets AI. Six top contenders for California Governor face off and a televised debate this Wednesday, with male-ballot hitting mailboxes early next month ahead of the June 2nd primary. The race is wide open, no clear front runner, and understate rules, just the top two vote getters moved to November. Party doesn't matter. Two Republicans lead the pack. Steve Hilton, the conservative commentator, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, joined by four Democrats, former Congresswoman Katie Porter, billionaire Tom Steyer, ex-health secretary Xavier Bacera, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. The field shook up recently when Democrat Eric Swalwell dropped out amidst sexual assault claims he denies and Betty Yee quit Monday after week polls, endorsing Steyer. Democrats worry their split votes could let both Republicans advance, a nightmare in this blue state where GOP has in one statewide

1:01in 20 years. Republicans plan to hammer Sacramento's failures on homelessness despite billion spent, sky-high taxes, gas prices, and housing costs driving folks away. Bacera and Mahan jumped in late after Swalwell's exit, grabbing fresh buzz. Bacera with an endorsement from assembly speaker Robert Rivas, Mahan, pushing ads on his wins against crime and homelessness in his city. Democrats mostly align on cutting costs and fighting federal policies, so expect them to spotlight records and jab rivals for standout moments. Polls from late March show Steyer, Porter, Hilton, Bianco, and Swalwell bunched tight before his withdrawal. Now it's anyone's game as candidates chase. That debate break out to sway voters.