California governor candidates challenge each other on policy and experience

The leading candidates in California’s gubernatorial race gave their takes on a range of the state’s partisan issues during a televised debate Wednesday night. Candidates were asked questions ranging from homelessness to the gas tax.

The six candidates, four Democrats and two Republicans, were generally mild-mannered with the exception of a few jabs. California’s jungle primary system makes it so only the top two candidates with the most votes in the June 2 primary move on to the November ballot, regardless of party affiliation.

A crowded Democratic field has raised concerns of a “lockout,” a scenario in which only Republicans end up in the general election. Many polls have shown the two Republicans, former political commentator Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, in the top two spots.

Also on the debate stage were billionaire activist Tom Steyer, former U.S. Rep Katie Porter, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. Becerra and Mahan were added to the debate after Nexstar, the debate host, commissioned a new poll after former U.S. Rep Eric Swalwell left the race and Congress due to sexual abuse allegations that he has denied.

The 90-minute debate brought questions on social media bans, gas and electric vehicle taxes, housing and wildfire insurance and the idea of English proficiency exams for drivers. 

Varying opinions on the gas tax

At 61.2 cents per gallon, California has one of the highest gas taxes in the country. The rate is adjusted yearly for inflation and the funds are directed to road infrastructure. The candidates were asked if they would suspend the gas tax and if they would support an mileage-based electric vehicle (EV) tax.

Bianco and Hilton began nearly all of their answers throughout the night by pointing to “failed” Democratic policies and leadership. Hilton described the idea of more taxes as Democrats’ "insatiable appetite."

Mahan supports eliminating the current gas tax altogether and adding a flat fee on all vehicles. Steyer said he would tax oil companies and redirect that money back to residents.

Porter gave an answer she has given before, saying affordability and cost of living are not “buzz words” for her.

Becerra said he would not eliminate the tax, saying we need to bring down prices “but do it the right way.” On the EV tax, he didn’t give a direct answer, saying he would look at it if it had support throughout the state.

Candidates questioned on their campaigns

Each candidate fielded specific questions regarding their campaigns. 

Mahan was asked how Californians could trust him to work for them, not the tech giants pouring millions into his campaign. He pointed to artificial intelligence regulations he has implemented in San Jose, assuring voters he is not afraid to regulate the very industries propping him up.

Steyer has often said California should tax him more, prompting a question on how much he believes he should be taxed. He didn’t give a specific number and said the answer to the state's financial problems is not as simple as raising one individual’s taxes.

Referring to himself as a “change agent” throughout the night, Steyer pointed out that big corporations, including PG&E, are pouring millions into political ads against him.

Porter once again apologized for viral videos of her berating a staff member and arguing with a journalist. Becerra acknowledged that during his time in Congress, he heard rumors about Swalwell’s behavior, and pointed to his record as former California attorney general prosecuting abusers.

Question sparks racial profiling debate

A question regarding whether California Highway Patrol officers should be allowed to give drivers English proficiency exams sparked a side debate on the relevance of racial profiling.

Becerra called it a “reckless policy,” adding that officers need to be sure they are not profiling drivers and only giving the exams to “people who look like me.”

Bianco, a career law enforcement officer, said Democrats “need to stop with this whole racism thing.” Porter pushed back on his comments, to which Bianco replied that Californians are tired of politicians “making race the basis of everything.”

Candidates show their teeth

The six candidates were generally respectful and only spoke over each other a few times, though there were a few instances where they took jabs at each other, prompting harsh responses.

Hilton criticized Becerra’s answer on Governor Gavin Newsom’s homelessness strategy, to which Becerra called out Hilton’s lack of experience in government, calling him a “talking head,” pointing to his time as Fox News commentator. 

Steyer faced multiple references to his wealth and former investments. Mahan went after Steyer’s record, saying “the only housing Tom Steyer’s built has been private prisons and ICE detention centers.” Steyer’s hedge fund invested in private prisons over 20 years ago and later pulled out.

Steyer responded by pointing out that since that investment, he and his wife have focused on using their billions for good, including financing thousands of low-income housing units and opening a nonprofit bank to provide loans to individuals and small businesses.