{"id":2599265,"date":"2026-05-06T01:59:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T05:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bickering-and-blaming-trump-dominate-california-gubernatorial-debate\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T02:00:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T06:00:11","slug":"bickering-and-blaming-trump-dominate-california-gubernatorial-debate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bickering-and-blaming-trump-dominate-california-gubernatorial-debate\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Bickering\u2019 and blaming Trump dominate California gubernatorial debate"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbickering-and-blaming-trump-dominate-california-gubernatorial-debate%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2599265&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Seven candidates-two Republicans and five Democrats-took part in a CNN primary debate for California governor on Tuesday,with noticeably more aggressive,fiery exchanges than in earlier debates. The contenders were Riverside county Sheriff Chad Bianco and businessman\/political commentator Steve Hilton for the GOP, and Democrats Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, and Antonio Villaraigosa.<\/p>\n<p>They sparred over issues including affordability, gas prices, illegal immigration and ICE, and healthcare. Democrats frequently mentioned President Donald Trump, blaming him for California\u2019s economic problems, while Republicans argued that Democratic one-party control is the root of the state\u2019s struggles and struggled to offer alternatives beyond pointing to Trump.<\/p>\n<p>The debate began with moderator Kaitlan Collins focusing on California\u2019s economic challenges, including high unemployment and population loss.Becerra responded with a personal story about growing up in California and then blamed the cost of living-including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/is-everything-racist-four-everyday-things-the-biden-administration-presents-as-racist\/\" title=\"Is Everything Racist? Four Everyday Things The Biden Administration Presents As \u2018Racist\u2019\">high gas prices<\/a>-on Trump\u2019s policies, including tariffs and the broader international situation.<\/p>\n<p>Steyer framed affordability as a broad crisis affecting housing, healthcare, electricity, and gasoline, and pitched himself as a \u201cchange agent\u201d who would implement progressive priorities. Mahan took a more moderate stance within the Democratic field, arguing Democrats need to change rather than simply blame Trump.<\/p>\n<p>As the conversation heated up later, Becerra became a frequent target as other candidates attacked him, while Porter tried to reposition herself as less argumentative and criticized the debate\u2019s interrupting and name-calling. The article notes the primary is June 2, with early voting already underway, and that the top two finishers-irrespective of party-will advance to the November general election to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>Seven candidates vying to be the next <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\">California<\/a> governor participated in a primary debate on Tuesday night that featured a lot more fiery exchanges and aggressive verbal attacks than previous debates. <\/p>\n<p>The debate was hosted by CNN and moderated by Kaitlan Collins and Elix Michaelson. Two Republicans, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and businessman and political commentator Steve Hilton, and five Democrats, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), billionaire businessman Tom Steyer, and former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, were the participants. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4556656\/bickering-and-blaming-trump-dominate-california-gubernatorial-debate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>\u2018Bickering\u2019 and blaming Trump dominate California gubernatorial debate<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4554800\/five-killed-in-ukraine-in-russian-strikes\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>At least five killed and dozens injured in Ukraine in \u2018vile\u2019 Russian strike amid ceasefire talk<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4554789\/two-killed-lethal-kinetic-strike-on-suspected-drug-vessel\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Two killed in \u2018lethal kinetic strike\u2019 on suspected drug vessel in Caribbean<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>The candidates sparred on a variety of issues, including affordability, gas prices, illegal immigration, ICE, and healthcare. President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> was mentioned frequently by Democrats who blamed him for much of the economic struggles Californians are facing. California\u2019s primary is June 2 and early voting has already begun in the state. The top two vote getters, regardless of political party, will advance to the general election in November to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term limited.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>To open the debate, Collins mentioned the economic struggles of California, citing the state having the highest unemployment rate in the country and that it was one of five states that lost population between 2024 and 2025. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhy do Democrats deserve another four years in charge?\u201d Collins asked. The Republican candidates blamed Democratic one-party rule for the state\u2019s current plights while Democratic candidates struggled to provide an articulate response beyond blaming President Donald Trump. <\/p>\n<p>Collins asked Becerra to respond first.  <\/p>\n<p>\u201cBecause Democrats are the ones who aspire to include everyone and not leave anyone behind, like my parents who came to California with $12 in their pockets and they lived the California Dream,\u201d Becerra said. \u201cMy three sisters and I, we got to live the California Dream.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut it doesn\u2019t come easy, you have to work hard,\u201d Becerra added. \u201cMy mother today still shops with coupons and you learn that when you watch that growing up. I know that my job as attorney general, as secretary of health and human services, is always to help people like my parents.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Becerra then blamed the high cost of living, including California\u2019s high gas prices, on Trump. He cited the war in Iran for the high gas prices and Trump\u2019s tariffs for the state\u2019s recurring affordability issues. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe biggest problem in California is that Californians can\u2019t afford to live here anymore,\u201d replied billionaire businessman Tom Steyer. \u201cIt starts with housing but it definitely includes healthcare, it includes electric costs \u2026 and it <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >includes soaring gasoline prices<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>Steyer then touted his track record and announced he had a plan to address the state\u2019s affordability issues, highlighting a list of \u201cprogressive values\u201d that he would implement.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m the change agent, and I\u2019m the progressive,\u201d Steyer said. <\/p>\n<p>San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan offered a more moderate approach, implying that Democrats needed to do more than just blame the president. He highlighted his efforts to try to bring improvement within his political party.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m the only Democrat in this race who has challenged the establishment within my own party to demand better results,\u201d said Mahan.<\/p>\n<p>The discussion became heated later in the debate as Democrats were attacking Becerra and others started criticizing Steyer. Becerra was the Democrat that candidates mostly went after, including Hilton and Bianco. Later, as the other candidates began to bicker and argue, Porter, who has been criticized in the past for her temperament, sought to portray herself as not argumentative. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cBoys, boys, enough with the bickering,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n<p>She added on later about temperament issues and called out the other candidate for arguing during the debate. <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4554414\/becerra-hilton-tied-california-gubernatorial-poll\/\"><strong>BECERRA AND HILTON TIED AS CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR RACE TIGHTENS: POLL<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI can\u2019t believe that on a stage with 30 minutes of interrupting and bickering and name calling and shouting and disrespect for everyone up here who\u2019s stepping into public service, that anyone wants to talk about my temperament,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Republican candidates Hilton and Bianco delivered messages throughout the debate that blamed Democrats for the state\u2019s issues. They addressed other debate topics individually but their main message was that the years of Democrats\u2019 one-party dominance in California was the cause of so many issues for Californians.<\/p>\n<p>Bianco recognized this early on when speaking about whether Californians deserve another four years. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhy do Democrats deserve it? You just listened to probably 10-15 minutes of why they don\u2019t,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are going to get nothing but the same from them. They brought us here.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Seven candidates for California governor debated on CNN Tuesday, delivering sharper, more aggressive exchanges than earlier debates<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2677,"featured_media":2599266,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/California-Debate-e1778044628176.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[4045,51159,5894],"class_list":["post-2599265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-california","tag-gubernatorial-election","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/California-Debate-e1778044628176.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2677"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2599265"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599265\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2599269,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599265\/revisions\/2599269"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2599266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2599265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2599265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2599265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}