California Governor Debate: Democrats Face Primary 'Nightmare' as Hilton and Bianco Lean into GOP Attacks

California’s gubernatorial race entered a high-stakes new phase Wednesday night as four Democrats and two Republicans faced off in the first major debate since the field was upended by the exit of a top contender. The Nexstar-hosted event highlighted a growing "nightmare scenario" for the Democratic party, where a split in support among several viable candidates could potentially result in two Republicans advancing to the general election under the state's top-two primary system.

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The debate served as the first public meeting for the candidates since former Representative Eric Swalwell ended his campaign following allegations of sexual misconduct. Swalwell, who has denied the claims but apologized for "mistakes in judgment," left a void in the Democratic field that Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, and Tom Steyer are now aggressively fighting to fill. Meanwhile, Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco used the stage to court a smaller but unified base of GOP voters.

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Hilton, who has secured a high-profile endorsement from President Donald Trump, leaned into his relationship with the federal government as a primary selling point. He and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco directed sharp criticism toward outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom’s record, specifically targeting what they described as an "insatiable appetite" for taxes and a failed approach to the state's homelessness crisis. Bianco further lambasted the Democratic leadership in Sacramento, accusing them of refusing to curb state spending.

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Xavier Becerra, the former Biden administration health secretary and California attorney general, faced pointed questions regarding his knowledge of the rumors surrounding Swalwell. Becerra defended his past actions by stating that while he had heard rumors during his time in House leadership, rumors do not constitute the corroborated facts required for law enforcement action. He acknowledged the women who have come forward with allegations, noting that "getting the facts" is what finally triggers movement in such cases.

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Matt Mahan, positioning himself as a moderate Democrat, attempted to distinguish himself by launching direct attacks on his rivals. Mahan criticized Becerra as a "DC insider" and took aim at billionaire Tom Steyer’s past hedge fund investments, specifically those related to private prisons and detention centers. Mahan argued that the state needs a leader who does more than just oppose federal policies, though he also had to defend his own ties to Silicon Valley tech executives.

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Katie Porter, once a frontrunner in the race, worked to regain her footing after her campaign was hampered by a controversial video of her berating a staffer. Porter reiterated her regret for the incident and took responsibility for her actions, contrasting her apology with the conduct of other candidates. She also went on the offensive against Becerra, accusing his policy plans of being "light on details" and lacking the specifics necessary to challenge the status quo in California.

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The candidates also briefly touched on the record of Governor Newsom, who has notably declined to endorse a successor so far. While the Democratic candidates offered a measured defense of the administration's goals, the debate made it clear that the party is struggling to coalesce around a single standard-bearer. This fragmentation remains the GOP’s greatest advantage as Hilton and Bianco compete for the top two spots on the June 2 ballot.

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As the primary approaches, the timeline for voters is tightening. County election officials are scheduled to begin mailing ballots to residents on May 4, and another major gubernatorial debate is slated for May 5. With the top two finishers regardless of party advancing to the fall matchup, the next few weeks of campaigning will be critical for Democrats looking to avoid a total shut-out in one of the bluest states in the nation.

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