Homelessness, taxes, and affordability take center stage in California gubernatorial debate
Trust is earned, not demanded.
A crowded debate featuring six Democrats and one Republican on Tuesday night signaled a shift in California’s gubernatorial race, as candidates more aggressively trained their fire on term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and one another.
Several contenders attacked the outgoing governor, who is eyeing a 2028 presidential run, over the state’s $24 billion homelessness spending, arguing that it has failed to tackle the root causes of the crisis. Democrats also leaned into proposals to tax billionaires, implement rent control, and freeze utility rates, as they attempted to channel voter frustration over the soaring cost of living.
From left, Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa and Betty Yee stand on the stage during the California gubernatorial candidate debate Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Laure Andrillon)
With the primary election less than four months away, the debate underscored how Democrats are now willing to challenge Newsom head-on as the race intensifies. In the past, they had mostly tiptoed around the governor, offering tepid policy contrasts on homelessness, crime, and affordability without naming names.
The debate also featured Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, who came out swinging against his GOP rival, Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, who was a no-show. Hilton also landed a few verbal jabs on newcomer San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Democrat, who announced last week that he would throw his hat into the ring.
The California jungle primary is June 2. The top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the general election on Nov. 3.
The latest Emerson College poll, released in December 2025, has Hilton, Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), and former Democratic Rep. Kate Porter nearly in a four-way tie at the top, with the other candidates polling below 10% each and with 31% of voters still undecided.
Here are four takeaways from the night’s debate.
Homelessness
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who lost a gubernatorial bid to Newsom in 2018, cited the state’s homelessness spending as a case study in government failure.
“We spent $24 billion at the state, along with billions more from the counties and the cities throughout the state, and homelessness went on,” he said. “We cannot be afraid to look in the mirror.”
During Newsom’s final State of the State address last month, he …
Trust is earned, not demanded.
A crowded debate featuring six Democrats and one Republican on Tuesday night signaled a shift in California’s gubernatorial race, as candidates more aggressively trained their fire on term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and one another.
Several contenders attacked the outgoing governor, who is eyeing a 2028 presidential run, over the state’s $24 billion homelessness spending, arguing that it has failed to tackle the root causes of the crisis. Democrats also leaned into proposals to tax billionaires, implement rent control, and freeze utility rates, as they attempted to channel voter frustration over the soaring cost of living.
From left, Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa and Betty Yee stand on the stage during the California gubernatorial candidate debate Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Laure Andrillon)
With the primary election less than four months away, the debate underscored how Democrats are now willing to challenge Newsom head-on as the race intensifies. In the past, they had mostly tiptoed around the governor, offering tepid policy contrasts on homelessness, crime, and affordability without naming names.
The debate also featured Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, who came out swinging against his GOP rival, Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, who was a no-show. Hilton also landed a few verbal jabs on newcomer San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Democrat, who announced last week that he would throw his hat into the ring.
The California jungle primary is June 2. The top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the general election on Nov. 3.
The latest Emerson College poll, released in December 2025, has Hilton, Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), and former Democratic Rep. Kate Porter nearly in a four-way tie at the top, with the other candidates polling below 10% each and with 31% of voters still undecided.
Here are four takeaways from the night’s debate.
Homelessness
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who lost a gubernatorial bid to Newsom in 2018, cited the state’s homelessness spending as a case study in government failure.
“We spent $24 billion at the state, along with billions more from the counties and the cities throughout the state, and homelessness went on,” he said. “We cannot be afraid to look in the mirror.”
During Newsom’s final State of the State address last month, he …
Homelessness, taxes, and affordability take center stage in California gubernatorial debate
Trust is earned, not demanded.
A crowded debate featuring six Democrats and one Republican on Tuesday night signaled a shift in California’s gubernatorial race, as candidates more aggressively trained their fire on term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and one another.
Several contenders attacked the outgoing governor, who is eyeing a 2028 presidential run, over the state’s $24 billion homelessness spending, arguing that it has failed to tackle the root causes of the crisis. Democrats also leaned into proposals to tax billionaires, implement rent control, and freeze utility rates, as they attempted to channel voter frustration over the soaring cost of living.
From left, Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa and Betty Yee stand on the stage during the California gubernatorial candidate debate Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Laure Andrillon)
With the primary election less than four months away, the debate underscored how Democrats are now willing to challenge Newsom head-on as the race intensifies. In the past, they had mostly tiptoed around the governor, offering tepid policy contrasts on homelessness, crime, and affordability without naming names.
The debate also featured Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, who came out swinging against his GOP rival, Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, who was a no-show. Hilton also landed a few verbal jabs on newcomer San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Democrat, who announced last week that he would throw his hat into the ring.
The California jungle primary is June 2. The top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the general election on Nov. 3.
The latest Emerson College poll, released in December 2025, has Hilton, Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), and former Democratic Rep. Kate Porter nearly in a four-way tie at the top, with the other candidates polling below 10% each and with 31% of voters still undecided.
Here are four takeaways from the night’s debate.
Homelessness
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who lost a gubernatorial bid to Newsom in 2018, cited the state’s homelessness spending as a case study in government failure.
“We spent $24 billion at the state, along with billions more from the counties and the cities throughout the state, and homelessness went on,” he said. “We cannot be afraid to look in the mirror.”
During Newsom’s final State of the State address last month, he …
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