California Governor Debate: Who Won?
Seven California gubernatorial candidates debated on CNN, with Antonio Villaraigosa showing a more assertive performance as mail ballots arrived.
Cuneyd Erdogan ·
Seven candidates for California governor participated in a two-hour debate on sources on May 5, 2026, broadcast live from East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park. This event marked the third debate in as many weeks and the first time candidates addressed a national audience, occurring as mail ballots began arriving for the June 2 primary election.
The debate featured varied performances from the participants. Antonio Villaraigosa, the former Los Angeles mayor, demonstrated a more focused and assertive presence compared to his previous campaign appearances. He engaged directly with opponents, notably challenging Steve Hilton on the 2020 presidential election results and immigration policies.
Other candidates maintained established public personas. Xavier Becerra projected steadiness, while Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton adopted confrontational and conservative stances, respectively. Katie Porter emphasized her progressive platform, and Tom Steyer echoed themes similar to Bernie Sanders. Matt Mahan's participation was noted as less impactful.
The debate's timing, with mail ballots already distributed, positioned it as a critical opportunity for candidates to influence voters in the final weeks before the primary election.