Why It Matters
California’s gubernatorial primary has entered a critical phase following the departure of a leading Democratic candidate amid scandal. With six candidates competing for two general election spots, the state’s majority Democratic electorate faces the risk of splitting its vote and allowing two Republicans to advance. The outcome will determine who leads the nation’s most populous state through ongoing affordability and homelessness crises.
What Happened
Six candidates — four Democrats and two Republicans — participated in their first debate since former congressman Eric Swalwell exited the race following sexual assault allegations. The 90-minute forum, hosted by Nexstar Media Group, focused primarily on cost-of-living challenges and the state’s homelessness crisis.
Moderators pressed former Democratic congressman Xavier Becerra, who served as chair of the House Democratic Caucus from 2013 to 2017, about whether he knew of Swalwell’s alleged misconduct. Becerra, most recently President Biden’s health secretary, said he had heard rumors but that the caucus does not investigate such matters.
“Rumors are not facts,” Becerra said. “It’s law enforcement who does. If someone had come forward, then we could then have investigations.”
Swalwell resigned from Congress and withdrew from the governor’s race less than two weeks before the debate.
By the Numbers
Recent California Democratic Party tracking polling shows Becerra at 13 percent support among likely voters, up from 4 percent before Swalwell’s departure. Billionaire activist Tom Steyer maintains a narrow lead in the Democratic field. Two Republicans currently hold the top two positions overall in public polling.
Under California’s primary system, only the top two finishers advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation. Democrats fear vote-splitting could result in two Republicans advancing on June 2.
The debate ran 90 minutes total, with one hour televised and an additional 30 minutes available online.
Zoom Out
California’s top-two primary system has previously produced general elections without a Republican candidate in statewide races. This year’s fragmented Democratic field creates the opposite risk. The state faces persistent affordability challenges that have driven population losses in recent years, with housing costs and taxation emerging as central campaign issues.
Republican candidates Chad Bianco, Riverside County sheriff, and Steve Hilton, a conservative commentator and former Fox News host, blamed Democratic policies for driving up costs through taxation and regulation. Democratic candidates pointed to federal policy under the Trump administration as contributing to economic pressures.
What’s Next
Candidates will continue campaigning ahead of California’s June 2 primary. Democrats are working to consolidate support around fewer candidates to avoid splitting the vote. Each candidate was asked to grade Governor Gavin Newsom’s performance on homelessness, with responses ranging from a B-minus from Steyer to an F from Hilton.
Former congresswoman Katie Porter and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan are also competing in the Democratic primary. Porter criticized Becerra for lacking detailed revenue plans behind his policy proposals. Mahan characterized Steyer as out of touch and Becerra as a Washington insider backed by Sacramento establishment figures.