Becerra and Hilton clash over costs, immigration in California debate

Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton clashed over California’s cost of living, immigration and artificial intelligence Wednesday in their first head-to-head debate in the governor’s race, as voters prepare to receive ballots for the November 3 election.

The hourlong CNN debate gave Hilton, a Republican and former Fox News host endorsed by President Donald Trump, a chance to challenge Becerra’s lead in the heavily Democratic state. Becerra, a former California attorney general and U.S. health and human services secretary, argued that his experience would help him address the state’s problems.

Affordability came first. Hilton defended his proposal to cut taxes on the first $150,000 of income and repeal California’s gas tax. “The quickest way to get more money in people’s pockets is for the government to take less out,” he said. Becerra said the cuts would damage the state and make life harder for working families.

On housing, Hilton proposed capping fees on new construction and creating 10 new cities, with counties bidding to host them. He said communities should build homes that meet their needs rather than follow state-imposed targets. Becerra proposed cutting red tape, expanding down payment assistance, protecting prospective buyers from being outbid by investors and enforcing laws that require local governments to build homes.

Hilton criticized Becerra for accepting money from technology companies during a discussion of AI regulation. Becerra pointed to his record of suing Meta, Amazon and Google. He also called for limits on data centers, saying he would work with local communities on regulations. “If all you’re going to do is rob their energy and electricity and their water, that’s not a good deal,” he said.

Immigration produced one of the sharpest exchanges. Hilton said he wanted to “lower the temperature” while securing the border and removing people in the country illegally who have committed dangerous crimes. Becerra, the son of Mexican immigrants, accused Hilton, who grew up in England, of favoring immigrants who looked like him over those who looked like Becerra. “What a disgraceful remark that was,” Hilton replied.

The Guardian reported that both candidates opposed a November ballot measure that would impose a one-time 5% tax on California residents worth more than $1 billion. They split over Proposition 39, which would require government-issued identification for in-person voting. Becerra opposed it, saying it would make voting harder; Hilton supported it and said he had confidence in the state’s voting system.

Both candidates backed keeping film production in Los Angeles, according to CBS News. Hilton blamed Democrats for productions leaving, while Becerra said, “We’ve got to keep Hollywood in Hollywood.”

Hilton also accused Becerra of taking voters for granted and called him a “career politician.” Becerra responded that the governor’s office was no place for “training wheels.”

Becerra led the June primary with 28% of the vote; Hilton finished second with 24.6%. CBS News reported that recent surveys put Becerra ahead by 58% to 33% in a Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll and 60% to 38% in a Public Policy Institute of California poll. The candidates are seeking to succeed term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom.