By The Epoch Times | Created at 2026-10-01 03:12:07 | Updated at 2026-10-01 04:20:15
1 hour ago
(Left) Former secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra during a debate in Monterey Park, Calif., on May 5, 2026. (Right) Former Fox News host Steve Hilton speaks after a gubernatorial debate in San Francisco on April 22, 2026. Justin Sullivan, Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images
California’s high cost of living surfaced as the top issue at a live televised debate between gubernatorial candidates Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra on Sept. 30 in Los Angeles.
The one-hour debate moderated by CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash covered a wide range of issues including affordability, gas prices, housing and homelessness, illegal immigration, jobs and the economy, AI data centers, vaccines, and climate change.
Hilton blamed Democratic policies for the affordability crisis in California while Becerra pointed at the Trump administration.
Becerra, 68, a former U.S. Health and Human Services (HSS) secretary and former state attorney general during part of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s first term, has run a low-key campaign while Hilton, 57, a former Fox News host and political adviser, has promised change and deep-reaching reforms.
Newsom’s second and final term expires in January.
Both candidates advanced to the Nov. 3 election after winning the top two spots in the governor’s race in California’s jungle primary on June 2.
The latest Real Clear Politics polling average results based on September surveys show Becerra in the lead with 56.8 percent of the vote and Hilton with 35 percent.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
