California Governor Candidates Clash in First Debate After Eric Swalwell’s Exit
California | Politics
Why It Matters
The California gubernatorial race shifted dramatically following the exit of former Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell, who dropped out after facing sexual assault allegations that also forced his resignation from Congress. With the state’s June 2 primary fast approaching, the field of remaining candidates is now fighting for position in a race where Democrats risk being locked out of the general election entirely.
The outcome of the California governor’s race carries significant weight — the nation’s most populous state sets policy precedents on housing, taxation, immigration, and energy that ripple across the country.
What Happened
Six candidates — four Democrats and two Republicans — met Wednesday night for their first debate since Swalwell’s departure, in an event hosted by Nexstar Media Group. The 90-minute debate ran one hour on television with an additional 30 minutes available online.
Swalwell’s scandal remained a central issue even in his absence. Moderators pressed former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on what he knew about Swalwell’s alleged behavior, given that Becerra served as chair of the House Democratic Caucus from 2013 to 2017, during which time Becerra said he had heard “rumors.”
“You hear rumors all the time about all sorts of things. Rumors are not facts, and the Democratic caucus is not the place that adjudicates those things,” Becerra said. “It’s law enforcement who does. If someone had come forward, then we could then have investigations.”
Beyond the Swalwell fallout, the debate centered heavily on California’s cost-of-living crisis, homelessness, and the economic direction of the state under Democratic leadership. The two Republican candidates on stage — conservative commentator and former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco — repeatedly blamed California’s high taxes and regulatory burden for driving residents to financial hardship.
“Nothing changed, and nothing will change if you have one of these Democrats in power. It will be more of the same,” Hilton said, criticizing Governor Gavin Newsom’s handling of homelessness encampments.
By the Numbers
4% — Becerra’s support among likely voters before Swalwell’s exit, according to a California Democratic Party tracking poll released this week.
13% — Becerra’s support in the same poll after Swalwell’s departure, representing a significant leap in a compressed timeframe.
2 — The number of candidates, regardless of party, who advance from California’s top-two primary system on June 2.
4 — The number of years Becerra served as HHS Secretary under former President Joe Biden, which he cited as evidence of budget management experience.
90 minutes — Total length of Wednesday night’s debate, with 60 minutes televised and 30 minutes available online.
Zoom Out
California’s top-two primary system, which sends the two highest vote-getters to the general election regardless of party, creates an unusual dynamic where a fractured Democratic field could theoretically produce a general election between two Republicans. National Democrats are watching closely, aware that a party locked out of the November contest in the country’s largest blue state would carry both symbolic and structural consequences.
The race also reflects broader national tensions over government spending, homelessness policy, and the cost of progressive governance. Billionaire activist Tom Steyer has maintained a narrow polling lead among Democrats, while recent polling shows the two Republicans — Hilton and Bianco — hold the top two overall seeds. The issue of taxation and fiscal accountability in California has become a defining fault line across multiple races in the state this cycle.
Former Representative Katie Porter and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan round out the top tier of Democratic contenders. Mahan criticized Becerra as “a D.C. insider who the Sacramento establishment is now rallying around,” while Porter challenged Becerra on the lack of specific numbers behind his policy proposals.
What’s Next
California’s primary election is scheduled for June 2, leaving candidates a narrow window to consolidate support. With polling shifting rapidly in the wake of Swalwell’s exit, the coming weeks are expected to bring intensified campaigning and additional debate appearances as candidates fight to avoid being locked out of the general election.
Becerra’s rapid polling rise will likely make him a continued target from rivals on both sides of the aisle. Meanwhile, Republican candidates Hilton and Bianco will seek to maintain their polling advantage and capitalize on Democratic voter fragmentation before the primary deadline.