California Gubernatorial Candidates Challenge Establishment Frontrunner Becerra in Final Debate
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In the last debate before California's primary, gubernatorial candidates united in holding establishment Democrat Xavier Becerra accountable, scrutinizing his centrist record and confronting urgent social justice issues facing the state.
In the final debate before California's primary, held in San Francisco, gubernatorial candidates directed their critiques at establishment Democrat Xavier Becerra, whose decades-long career in public service has often prioritized corporate interests over the needs of working people. Becerra, with over 35 years entrenched in the political system—including roles as U.S. Representative, California Attorney General, and U.S. Health Secretary—faced overdue scrutiny over his record of incrementalism and failure to deliver transformative change.
During the debate, opponents challenged Becerra's leadership, especially highlighting controversies from his tenure as Health Secretary. These included the federal indictment of a former staffer and his administration’s inadequate response to the crisis of unaccompanied migrant children, a humanitarian disaster exacerbated by bureaucratic neglect, though Becerra has not been directly implicated in these matters. The debate exposed the limits of establishment politics in addressing systemic injustices.
Candidates also debated urgent state issues such as affordability, housing, and insurance, which have disproportionately impacted marginalized communities. Becerra’s proposal to declare a state of emergency on rising insurance costs was seen by some as a half-measure, while he emphasized his commitment to expanding healthcare access and defending abortion rights—core issues for progressives, but critics noted his incremental approach.
Other candidates presented more visionary alternatives. Republican Steve Hilton predictably attacked the current administration’s policies from a reactionary standpoint, while Democrat Tom Steyer positioned himself as a true progressive, advocating for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels and bold climate action.
With the primary approaching, the debate highlighted the urgent need for candidates willing to break from establishment politics and fight for real change for California’s working class and vulnerable populations.