Democratic candidates launch fierce attacks on Steyer and Becerra in tense governor debate
Six leading Democratic candidates for California governor clashed in a chaotic and combative debate at Pomona College Tuesday night, sharply targeting billionaire frontrunner Tom Steyer over his fossil fuel investments and blasting Xavier Becerra for his track record as former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary. With less than a week before ballots are mailed to voters, the contentious contest showed no clear breakout candidate and highlighted deep divisions as Democrats fight to overcome two Republican candidates leading in recent polls.
The debate quickly turned fractious and hard to follow, prompting former Rep. Katie Porter to declare, “this is worse than my teenagers at dinner.” Still, the focus was clear: Steyer’s billion-dollar campaign spending spree and Becerra’s policy specifics and past controversies took center stage.
Steyer Faces Tough Questions Over Fossil Fuel Ties
Steyer, who has already poured at least $132 million of his own money into the race and leads other Democrats in polling, faced pointed criticism for his climate record. Porter, once hailed as a national progressive leader, challenged Steyer’s claim to environmental leadership, highlighting his prior investments in fossil fuels.
Katie Porter: “How about profiteers pay?”
Steyer defended himself by noting that he had divested from those holdings and devoted his efforts to fighting climate change, emphasizing his policy of making polluters pay.
Becerra’s Record and Proposals Under Fire from Moderates
Becerra, gaining momentum fueled by a surge in online influencer support after former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s exit, faced sharp questions from moderate Democrat San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. Mahan critiqued Becerra’s mixed results as health secretary and challenged him on details of key policies, including his controversial proposal to declare a state of emergency to freeze home insurance rates — a point that led to a heated exchange with a debate moderator over legality.
Progressives also pressed Becerra on his ties to corporations like Chevron and his handling of an influx of unaccompanied migrant children during the Biden administration. A 2023 investigation revealed failures in processing these children, some of whom ended up in hazardous child labor.
Xavier Becerra: “We did everything we could” while dismissing criticisms as “MAGA talking points.”
Republican Sheriff Chad Bianco Sparks Outrage With False Claims
Republican candidate Chad Bianco, Riverside County sheriff known for conspiratorial rhetoric, aggressively attacked Democratic policies as “lies.” He invoked groans from the audience after falsely claiming COVID-19 vaccines distributed under President Biden had “poisoned” millions of Americans. His confrontations extended to criticism of state regulations, drawing rebuke from Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, who condemned Bianco’s raid on 650,000 ballots in Riverside County as unprecedented and damaging.
Democrats Struggle to Stand Out as Ballots Loom
Despite clashes, Democrats largely failed to differentiate their solutions on pressing statewide issues like housing, health care, energy, and the cost of living. No candidate attacked liberal policies of Gov. Gavin Newsom, who withheld endorsement. Rampant interruptions, shifting topics, and a lack of new ideas left voters confused.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan personified the confusion, calling the debate “all wrong” on healthcare policy with no viable middle ground. Notably, all eight candidates supported forcing homeless individuals who refuse shelter into mandatory mental health treatment.
The debate also exposed sharp divides on energy and tax policy. Mahan and Porter advocated keeping oil refineries open temporarily amid rising gas prices, while Steyer pushed for taxing oil industry profits. Republicans pushed to suspend the state gas tax, a move opposed by Becerra, Porter, Steyer, and Antonio Villaraigosa, the former Los Angeles mayor.
Youth Voters Left Searching for Answers
Among attendees was Kloi Ogans, a Pomona College politics student who said the debate left her more bewildered than informed. “I think I’m more confused on who to vote for now than ever,” Ogans said. Young voters like her remain deeply concerned with the state’s affordability crisis and wary of aggressive immigration enforcement proposals, though the debate’s acrimony dampened their enthusiasm.
What’s Next
With ballots set to be mailed in less than a week, candidates face a critical stretch to clarify their messaging and break out of the crowded field. The chaotic nature of the debate highlighted the brittle fractures within California’s Democratic base just as the general election campaign heats up, especially with Republicans currently holding a polling edge.
The California Herald will continue covering the rapidly evolving 2026 California gubernatorial race, bringing immediate updates on campaign developments, voter reactions, and polling shifts.
