Overview
- The six leading candidates sparred in San Francisco during a Nexstar/KRON4 debate Wednesday night, the first face-off since Eric Swalwell quit the race over sexual assault allegations he denies.
- Recent party-commissioned polling shows Steve Hilton at about 17% with Chad Bianco near 14% as multiple Democrats cluster in the low-to-mid teens, creating a real risk that two Republicans advance under California’s top-two primary system.
- Gas prices, housing costs, homelessness and immigration dominated the stage, with Hilton and Bianco attacking Democratic rule in Sacramento while Democrats criticized President Donald Trump and offered competing affordability plans.
- Xavier Becerra showed fresh momentum after Swalwell’s exit with new endorsements, including Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, and a spike in small-dollar donations, though the debate produced no clear breakout.
- Tom Steyer remained a major force through roughly $120 million in self-funding, drawing progressive support and sharp attacks over his wealth, as ballots start mailing May 4 and an undecided bloc near 20% may decide who reaches the June 2 top two.