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BURBANK, Calif. (KFSN) — With 34 days remaining before California’s November midterm election, Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra and Republican candidate Steve Hilton squared off in a CNN debate Wednesday night, presenting sharply different visions for the state’s future while sparring over affordability, housing, immigration, homelessness, climate change, and artificial intelligence.
The hour-long debate showcased Hilton positioning himself as an agent of change and Becerra highlighting his experience as California’s attorney general and as a member of the Biden administration.
Hilton criticized California’s current leadership and argued that the state government has hindered the state’s potential.
“We can grow anything, build anything, we can make anything, invent anything. That spirit is being crushed by this bloated, badly-run, bureaucratic government that Xavier has been a part of,” Hilton said.
Becerra countered by emphasizing his public service experience and questioned Hilton’s qualifications.
“We have to fight to keep the California dream. But you can’t do it with someone who’s never served, with someone who’s never balanced a budget,” Becerra said.
The debate at times became contentious. Early in the event, Hilton took a jab at his opponent, thanking CNN “for bringing Xavier out of hiding.”
“He’s barely been seen in public since the primary,” Hilton said.
Throughout the debate, Becerra pointed to his record serving as California’s Attorney General and as former Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Biden administration.
“I have helped create millions of jobs during my service, as a member of Congress and preserving the protections in the state of California,” Becerra said.
Hilton, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, focused on lowering costs for Californians. He argued that reducing government spending would help residents keep more of their income.
“The quickest way to get more money in people’s pockets is for the government to take less out. That’s what I’m going to be doing and it’s not coming from the budgets he describes. You know what it’s coming from? Canceling high-speed rail,” Hilton said.
The candidates were also asked about artificial intelligence and potential data center projects, an issue that has drawn attention across the country and in Central California.
“If it doesn’t benefit them, if they don’t see it as an investment in their community, if all you’re going to do is rob their energy and electricity, and their water, that’s not a good deal,” he said.
Hilton said safety should be a top priority for technology companies.
“I want to make sure that the priority for these companies is safety. Making their product safer, whether that’s done by them or we need regulations,” Hilton said.
The candidates also exchanged barbs over gas prices.
“Tell everyone the national average gas price in America today,” Hilton said.
“Two dollars more than it was when Donald Trump started the war in Iran,” Becerra responded.
“Just tell them the number,” Hilton replied.
As Election Day approaches, both candidates are making their final push to voters as they seek to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom. The race also carries historical significance for Republicans, who have not held California’s governor’s office since Arnold Schwarzenegger served from November 2003 to January 2011.
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