In a fiery one-on-one encounter, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) and former Fox News host Steve Hilton (R) went head-to-head Wednesday in the only scheduled debate of the race to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom. The hour-long CNN showdown touched on the economy, immigration, healthcare, and the role of artificial intelligence, offering voters a stark contrast between the two candidates just days before ballots are mailed.
Becerra, who has led in every public poll since finishing first in the June top-two primary, repeatedly sought to tie Hilton to President Trump, who has endorsed the London-born Republican. Hilton, in turn, hammered Becerra for his tenure as Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Biden, arguing that the Democrat would continue the policies of the outgoing Newsom administration.
Trump dominates the debate
From the opening exchanges, the shadow of President Trump loomed large. Hilton accused Becerra of having no substantive agenda beyond attacking the president. "All you've got is to talk about federal politics. All you ever say is 'Trump, Trump, Trump,'" Hilton charged. Becerra shot back, "Your words: 'Trump, Trump, Trump,' because he is your supporter, you chased his endorsement," before the two talked over each other.
Becerra used Trump's unpopularity in California to paint Hilton as an extremist. He warned that Hilton's economic plans, which echo Trump's tax-cutting approach, would bring "Trump results" to the state. "Proposing Trump tax policies, promising Trump tax cuts, believing you're going to get better results than Trump has gotten so far to date," Becerra said, "that is the definition of insanity."
Hilton countered by referencing a previous debate where Becerra gave Newsom an "A for effort" on homelessness, suggesting that Becerra would not challenge the status quo. "He wasn't even supposed to be the candidate. He was the sixth or seventh choice," Hilton said. "But they said it doesn't matter as long as it's a 'D,' that'll do." Becerra retorted, "I guess it's from your experience being a talking head on Fox News, you're so good at that, even though they're not factual, even though they have nothing to do with reality."
Immigration clash
The candidates also traded barbs over immigration, a central issue in the Golden State. Becerra accused Hilton of welcoming federal immigration enforcement into a state that had welcomed him. "California welcomed you into California, and you welcomed ICE mercenaries into our state in return," Becerra said. "You seem to welcome immigrants who look like you but deport immigrants who look like me." Hilton, who was born in London, responded by invoking Becerra's record at HHS, where he oversaw the care of unaccompanied migrant minors. "I cannot believe that you're standing there trying to make these arguments," Hilton said.
Becerra dismissed Hilton's critique as "retread Trump talking points" and highlighted his legal battles against the first Trump administration's immigration policies while serving as California's attorney general. Hilton, for his part, called for "lowering the temperature" on the issue, while also criticizing the current administration's approach. The debate came amid reports that Hispanic voters, who make up about 40% of California's electorate, are drifting away from Trump over his immigration crackdown and economic concerns, as noted in recent polling.
AI and the future of tech
On technology, both candidates sought to stake out positions on artificial intelligence, a growing concern for voters. Hilton called for an "immediate pause on AI in the classroom" to protect children, and emphasized the need to keep AI jobs in California. When asked if he agreed with Trump's hands-off approach to AI regulation, Hilton said, "We'll have to see," prompting Becerra to interject that "if you listen closely, you can hear Donald T..." — a reference to Trump's controversial stance, which has drawn criticism from Democrats like Hakeem Jeffries, who has likened it to "the fox guarding the henhouse."
The debate highlighted the sharp divisions between the candidates as they compete in a state that has not elected a Republican governor in over two decades. Decision Desk HQ rates the race as solidly Democratic, giving Hilton just a 3% chance of winning. Still, with Newsom's departure creating an open seat, the contest has drawn national attention, and the debate offered a rare glimpse of the two frontrunners in a race that could shape California's future.
