2026 California Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage


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OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Steve Hilton: Would extradite California abortion doctor to Louisiana.

Budget & Economy     Katie Porter: California could lower housing costs by speeding up building.     Xavier Becerra: Trump cuts at HHS has the makings of a manmade disaster.     Steve Hilton: My aim is to return spending to pre-pandemic levels.

Civil Rights     Eleni Kounalakis: Recommit to ending violence against transgender people.

Crime     Eleni Kounalakis: Increasing penalties probably won't do what people want.     Steve Hilton: We need the basic principle that we should enforce the law.

Education     Steve Hilton: Launch Education Savings Accounts and open enrollment.     Tom Steyer: Free public school from age 3 through community college.

Energy & Oil     Eleni Kounalakis: California is leading the clean energy transition.     Steve Hilton: Repeal climate mandates that force costly energy choices.

Foreign Policy     Eleni Kounalakis: Educate students to national security importance of Israel.     Steve Hilton: Would sue any city boycotting Israel in violation of law.

Free Trade     Eleni Kounalakis: Make sure California is a good place for foreign investors.     Steve Hilton: California should increase business with Israel.

Government Reform     Xavier Becerra: Joined UCLA Voting Rights Project to defend right to vote.     Steve Hilton: Government shouldn't boss you around with endless rules.     Steve Hilton: Restore districting integrity to have fair representation.

Health Care     Steve Hilton: Disgusting to subsidize health care for undocumented aliens.

Homeland Security     Eric Swalwell: The military can be a check on Trump administration.     Kamala Harris: Deploying National Guard stokes fear, not public safety.     Katie Porter: Trump has deployed the military against American citizens.

Immigration     Eric Swalwell: When we're in majority, ICE masks are coming off.     Antonio Villaraigosa: Military-style mass deportation ICE raids have gone too far.     Xavier Becerra: Would avoid cutting insurance for undocumented immigrants.     Steve Hilton: Supports full cooperation with ICE "100 percent".     Steve Hilton: Don't support Los Angeles rioters over law enforcement.

Principles & Values     Eric Swalwell: GOP weaponizes faith, need to do Christian podcasts.     Steve Hilton: I'm a proud American and an incredibly proud Californian too.

Tax Reform     Katie Porter: Cut taxes under $100,000, raise for big corporations.     Tom Steyer: Take on corporations that are not paying their fair share.     Steve Hilton: No tax under $100K, 7.5% flat tax on earnings over $100k.

Technology     Tom Steyer: New technologies are disruptive, less expensive, and clean.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Antonio Villaraigosa California Democratic Gubernatorial Challenger Eleni Kounalakis California Democratic Lt. Governor Eric Swalwell California Presidential candidate; Governor candidate; U.S.Rep(CA-15) Kamala Harris California Democratic nominee;Vice President; former California Senator Katie Porter California Democratic challenger Steve Hilton California Republican challenger Tom Steyer California Democratic Challenger Xavier Becerra California HHS Secretary; CA Gov. candidate

The above quotations are from 2026 California Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Gov. Newsom term-limited in 2026:
CA 2026 Gubernatorial debate:
vs.Xavier Becerra(D)
vs.Steve Hilton(R)
vs.Katie Porter(D)
vs.Tom Steyer(D)
vs.Eric Swalwell(D)
vs.Antonio Villaraigosa(D)
vs.Eleni Kounalakis(D,withdrew to run for state treasurer)
vs.Zoltan Istvan(L,withdrew)
Past gubernatorial races:
CA 2022 Gubernatorial debate:
Incumbent Gavin Newsom(D)
State Senator Brian Dahle(R)
vs.Rob Bonta for Attorney General(D)
CA 2021 Gubernatorial Recall: Incumbent Gavin Newsom(D)
S.D.Mayor Kevin_Faulconer(R)
vs.Former Gov. nominee John Cox(R)
vs.Former U.S.Rep Doug Ose(R)
Laura Smith(R)
vs.Former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner(R)
vs.Radio Host Larry Elder(R)
2018 California gubernatorial debate,
L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D)
State School Chief Delaine Eastin (D)
David Hadley (R)
S.F. Mayor Gavin Newsom (D)
State Treasurer John Chiang (D)
John Cox (R)
State Rep. Travis Allen(R)
Zoltan Istvan (I) vs.La Riva(P)
Former gubernatorial races:
2014 California gubernatorial debate
2014 challenger: Neel Kashkari(R)

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