California Governor Candidates Target Rising Becerra in Nationally Televised Debate
Why It Matters
California’s 2026 gubernatorial primary is entering a critical phase as ballots are already being cast and returned statewide. A competitive, high-profile debate this week gave national audiences a rare opportunity to evaluate the field under pressure — and signaled that the race remains far from settled.
What Happened
Seven leading candidates for California governor squared off Tuesday in a two-hour debate hosted by CNN in Monterey Park. The event featured five Democrats and two Republicans in a format that allowed more direct exchanges than earlier forums, including pointed personal attacks and cross-party confrontations.
Former Attorney General and Biden administration cabinet member Xavier Becerra drew the most sustained criticism from candidates on both sides of the aisle, reflecting his recent surge into the upper tier of the race. Becerra’s rise came after former Rep. Eric Swalwell exited the contest following accusations of sexual harassment and assault — a development that reshuffled the Democratic field.
Before Swalwell’s departure, Becerra had been registering low, single-digit support. He has since climbed significantly in the polls, and the latest California Democratic Party survey showed him tied for first place with Republican Steve Hilton. California voters can find primary election information, including how to cast ballots, in this guide to the June 2026 primary.
By the Numbers
- 5 Democrats and 2 Republicans participated in Tuesday’s debate
- Becerra was polling in single digits before Swalwell’s exit
- The latest Democratic Party poll shows Becerra tied for first with Republican Steve Hilton
- The debate ran approximately two hours
Becerra Under Fire
Becerra’s rapid ascent has unsettled rivals, most notably billionaire Tom Steyer, whose campaign has launched a series of attack advertisements and press releases targeting the former attorney general. The anti-Becerra messaging has focused on two lines of criticism: accusations that campaign aides diverted funds from one of his accounts, and allegations that Becerra, during his tenure as federal health and welfare secretary, failed to properly track millions of migrant children under government supervision.
Becerra has not yet been charged with any wrongdoing, and the accusations remain contested. Still, the attacks reflect how seriously competing campaigns are taking his momentum shift.
Zoom Out
The California governor’s race is drawing national attention in part because the state’s size and electoral weight make its Democratic primary a bellwether for the party’s direction heading into the 2026 midterm cycle. The debate’s CNN platform extended its reach well beyond California, putting the candidates before a broader national audience at a moment when several are positioning for future influence within the Democratic Party.
The competitive dynamics in California mirror those playing out in other large-state races, where well-funded outsiders and established political figures are jockeying for position in unsettled primaries. Separately, the Los Angeles mayor’s race is also drawing significant attention this cycle. Four major candidates are seeking to unseat incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in what is shaping up to be a contested local contest.
What’s Next
With ballots already circulating, candidates have limited time to shift the trajectory of the race. Steyer’s continued media offensive against Becerra, combined with Hilton’s strong showing in party polling, suggests the final weeks before the June primary will feature intensifying attacks from multiple directions. How Becerra responds to the pressure — both the financial misconduct allegations and the migrant children controversy — could determine whether his surge holds.