USA07 May, 20262 min read
California Governor Candidates Clash Over Housing, Immigration In Final Pre-Primary Debate
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Candidates clashed over housing and homelessness in the pre-primary debate. Immigration policy emerged as a key debate topic among contenders.
Debate Before June 2
Seven candidates for California governor took the stage in two debates over 48 hours to make their final pitch to voters before the June 2 primary, with the winner set to lead a state with 39 million people and the fourth largest economy in the world. Under California's Top Two nonpartisan open primary, all voters can cast a vote for any candidate, and the two highest finishers advance to the November general election regardless of party.
In the debate, Steve Hilton said, "We have a concrete plan to make our state Califordable, $3 gas, cut your electric bills in half, your first hundred grand tax-free, a home you can afford to buy." Xavier Becerra argued, "If we fight to make California affordable, people will stay, and they will come to this great state."
Housing and Homelessness
Housing and homelessness dominated the debate hosted by NBC4 and Telemundo 52, with candidates differing on how to address the cost-of-living crisis and what to do about people sleeping on the streets. Steve Hilton focused on cutting red tape, saying, "We have got to simplify the regulations that make it so expensive," and adding, "It is 2 or 3 times more expensive to build housing." Tom Steyer emphasized prevention in homelessness policy, arguing, "Rental assistance is much cheaper and more humane than letting someone go on the street."
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco called for treatment-focused solutions, saying, "What we need is the treatment centers that treat mental health conditions, drugs, and alcohol." Matt Mahan, mayor of San Jose, highlighted his record on the issue, stating, "I was the first Democrat leading a major city to support Prop 36."
Immigration and Stakes
In the final pre-primary debate, California governor candidates clashed over housing, immigration, and other issues as they sought to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The debate also turned to sanctuary state law, with the question described as turning into personal jabs during the California gubernatorial debate, according to NBC News.
Meanwhile, CalMatters reported that homelessness remains one of California’s most vexing issues and that the next governor will have to contend with nearly a quarter of the entire country’s homeless population.
CalMatters also quoted Porter on prevention, saying, "Homelessness prevention is the key. It costs about $6,000 to prevent someone from becoming homeless."
In the same CalMatters report, Chad Bianco asserted that closer to 95% of unhoused people have a substance use disorder and said people must be forced into treatment, "whether they want it or not," to stabilize.