The meeting, organized by CNN, gathered the Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, as well as the Democrats Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer and Antonio Villaraigosa, in a d ebate marked by deep differences on key issues such as taxes on the wealthy, immigration and the relationship with the federal government, less than a month from the June 2nd primary elections.

One of the central axes was the high cost of living in the state, particularly the price of gasoline, which exceeded $6 dollars per gallon on the day of the debate. The postures evidencing a strong polarization ion: several Democrats, including Becerra, attributed the rise to President Donald Trump and international factors such as the war in Iran, while Republicans blamed state policies.

Hilton defended that it could reduce the price to $3 per gallon, prompting Mahan's response: “You're lying to people.”

The tone of the debate was confrontational, where the name of the national leader monopolized the night. “Donald Trump is the president in all the other states where the cost of living is mu "cho lower than in California", replied Hilton, who has the backing of the president. Amid the interruptions, Porter intervened: "Guys, guys, enough of the discussions."

However, Becerra stated: "I'm going to repeat Donald Trump's name as many times as necessary because he's the real threat we have in California," while Porter bluntly expressed: "Donald Trump sucks."

Tax on millionaires

One of the central issues was the so-called Billionaire Tax Act, an extraordinary tax targeted at the state's wealthy. Congresswoman Porter supported the measure by stating that the wealthiest should contribute m Furthermore, although he warned that “it is not going to fundamentally change the California economy” as it is a one-time tax. For his part, Steyer agreed to support it, but considered that “it doesn't go far enough”.

While Mahan criticized his fellow Democrats for focusing on expanding the government rather than making it more efficient.

The cost of living in California is a critical issue and the central axis of the political and social debate in the 2026 elections, characterized by an affordability crisis that has driven a high level of emigration to other states.

According to analysts, cumulative inflation has exceeded 90% since 2000, drastically reducing the purchasing power of residents.

Migration, epicenter of the encounter

During the debate, the immigration issue generated one of the most tense exchanges. The moderator asked Republican Steve Hilton if he would push for depo rtation of undocumented farm workers in California, in allusion to the tightening of immigration policy under the Donald Trump administration.

Hilton responded highlighting his personal experience: “I'm the only immigrant in this scenario. I'm a legal immigrant.” He added that, in his opinion, Americans support the in migration when it is “properly controlled” and underlined that the decisions in this matter correspond to the federal government, with which, he assured, would collaborate to enforce the law.

In contrast, Katie Porter advocated that the governor's role is to ensure the protection of all residents of the state, regardless of their immigration status.

The debate also addressed “sanctuary state” policies. Antonio Villaraigosa stated that these laws do not “protect violent criminals.” Likewise, California's attempt to ban federal agents from wearing masks during operations was discussed, a measure that was blocked by a federal judge.

 Chad Bianco questioned the authority of the state to impose that restriction, although acknowledged that in “certain circumstances” it permits that practice within its jurisdiction.

For his part, Xavier Becerra took a tougher stance when asked about possible legal actions against ICE leaders: “I think we should supervise Donald Trump's masked mercenary force that they call ICE.”

Thus, with markedly opposing stances and without consensus, the debate made evident that the race for California's governorship enters its decisive phase, with a polarizing electorate two and multiple fronts of discussion that will define the political course of the state, in a contest, considered the most open in decades after the upcoming departure of Governor Gavin Newsom.