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California Governor Debate: Becerra Dominates Over Hilton
Confirmed
In Short: California gubernatorial candidates Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton faced off in their first one-on-one debate on Wednesday night, Sept. 13, ahead of the November election.
Moderators opened the debate with a question about affordability in California, a topic both candidates emphasized during their campaigns.
Becerra, the Democratic frontrunner, emphasized his experience and readiness for the governor's office, saying, 'The governor's office is not a place with training wheels.
However, Hilton's attacks did not seem to significantly impact Becerra's lead. Becerra repeatedly steered the debate back to President Donald Trump, saying, 'All you ever say is, 'Trump, Trump, Trump.'
Becerra also promised to impose limits on data centers, vowing to work with local communities to enforce regulations, adding, 'And I will continue to do so as governor.
What this adds
The debate aired on CNN and was seen by many voters who supported other candidates in the primary.
Neither candidate addressed the controversial issue of ICE's presence in California directly during the debate.
Background
California gubernatorial candidates Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton debated Wednesday night, Sept. 13, in what could be their final face-to-face matchup before the election.
In the first and likely only debate, Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton traded blame over California's issues, with Becerra focusing on Trump and Hilton criticizing Democratic governance.
The governor of California is the head of government of the U.S. state of California. The governor is the commander-in-chief of the California National Guard and the California State Guard.
What's confirmed
- Moderators opened the debate with a question about affordability in California, a topic both candidates emphasized during their campaigns.
- Becerra, the Democratic frontrunner, emphasized his experience and readiness for the governor's office, saying, 'The governor's office is not a place with training wheels.
- Becerra also promised to impose limits on data centers, vowing to work with local communities to enforce regulations, adding, 'And I will continue to do so as governor.
What's still developing
- "California welcomed you into California, and you welcomed ICE mercenaries into our state in return," he said.
- Leading up to the debate, Becerra appeared to have captured a larger share.
- Updated on: September 30, 2026 / 10:06 PM PDT / CBS LA Candidates Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton faced off in their first one-on-one debate ahead of the November election for California governor.
- The pair vied to win over the 47.4% of voters who supported their opponents in the primary during the debate, which aired on CNN.
- “All you ever say is, ‘Trump, Trump, Trump,’” Hilton said about halfway through the debate.
- Republican Steve Hilton threw punch after punch at Xavier Becerra on Wednesday night, trying to cut into his Democratic rival’s commanding lead in the race for governor.
- In an hourlong debate televised nationally on CNN, Hilton blamed Becerra and Democrats for California’s problems on nearly every major issue, including homelessness, soaring gas prices, and sky-high housing costs.
- But Hilton didn’t appear to land any blows hard enough to change the trajectory of the race, and Becerra repeatedly steered the debate back to President Donald Trump.