California Governor Debate On CNN: Porter Challenges Temperament as Becerra Blames Trump

Seven candidates for California governor faced off in a CNN primary debate Tuesday night with the June 2 primary election less than a month away, as they tried to mark differences on affordability and other issues. The contest included Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton and Democrats Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, and Antonio Villaraigosa. Porter challenged the tone of the exchange, saying, “No puedo creer que en un escenario con 30 minutos de interrupciones, discusiones, insultos, gritos y faltas de respeto… alguien quiera hablar de mi temperamento”. Becerra, in turn, attributed California’s problems to Trump, saying the increase in gas prices is due to the war in Irán and the increase in food to aranceles.

“Katie Porter says she apologized years ago for berating a staffer and has taken responsibility repeatedly during CNN’s California gubernatorial primary debate”

CNN

Healthcare and immigration repeatedly drove attacks and rebuttals as the candidates argued over single-payer and sanctuary policies. On healthcare, Porter pressed Becerra’s position, saying, “Covering everyone with something is not single payer,” while Becerra responded by affirming he supports moving toward a “Medicare for All” program. On immigration, Hilton said, “I’m the only immigrant on stage,” adding, “I’m a legal immigrant,” as he argued immigration should be “properly controlled.” Becerra countered by attacking Trump’s enforcement, saying, “I think we should police Donald Trump’s masked mercenary force that they call ICE,” and the debate also included discussion of California’s attempt to ban federal immigration enforcement agents from wearing facial coverings that was blocked by a federal judge earlier this year.

With mail ballots arriving and the race still fluid, the debate underscored that only the top two finishers in California’s nonpartisan primary advance to the November general election, regardless of party. The Hill described how Becerra’s rise became a central focus as rivals attacked his record on single-payer and his understanding of the issue, with Mahan accusing him of doing “nothing” on lowering health care costs and halting “fraudulent and wasteful spending.” Becerra defended himself by saying, “I think everyone’s invoking my name,” and he insisted, “I was not involved,” in a separate controversy involving his former chief of staff, Sean McCluskie, who pleaded guilty last year to a count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. The stakes also extended to the broader field’s ability to consolidate, as the Hill noted that leaders raised alarm that if Democrats don’t coalesce around a front-runner, the outcome could be shaped by the fractured field.

“Seven candidates for California governor crowded a CNN debate stage in East Los Angeles on Tuesday, spending much of the two hours sparring and strategizing to gain an upper hand in a race that still remains fluid”

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