Overview
- The final 90‑minute debate in San Francisco, hosted by CBS News California and the San Francisco Examiner on Thursday, put seven leading candidates on stage with a format that let them question each other directly.
- Rivals zeroed in on Xavier Becerra after a former adviser pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and Becerra cited the U.S. Attorney’s Office statement that no candidate in the governor’s race is implicated.
- Sharp policy splits emerged on housing and climate as Becerra backed an emergency push to speed homebuilding, Steve Hilton argued against punishing cities and favored building outward, and Chad Bianco questioned warnings tied to human‑driven sea‑level rise.
- A lightning‑round question on extradition exposed a clear divide as Republicans Hilton and Bianco said they would allow Louisiana to seek a California doctor over abortion pills while the Democrats on stage said they would refuse.
- Polling before the debate showed a close field with Becerra near 19% and Hilton and Tom Steyer close behind, and California’s open top‑two rules could advance two Republicans if Democratic votes remain split as mail voting continues.