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California Governor Debate: Who’s Stepping Into the Spotlight?
San Francisco, USAThursday, April 23, 2026
The race for California’s governorship has taken a dramatic turn after Democratic front‑runner Eric Swalwell withdrew amid sexual misconduct allegations. Governor Gavin Newsom stayed neutral before tonight’s debate but hinted that a Democrat is likely to win, even though polls show Republican challengers gaining traction.
Candidates Facing the Issues
| Party | Candidate | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steve Hilton | Former Fox News host, consistently tops GOP polls |
| Chad Bianco | Riverside County Sheriff; seized 650,000 ballots in a probe into the November election | |
| Democratic | Xavier Becerra | Former Health Secretary, Attorney General, and state assemblyman; popularity surges after Swalwell’s exit |
| Tom Steyer | Billionaire; struggled to capitalize on wealth and past business controversies | |
| Katie Porter | Former congresswoman; campaign hampered by staff confrontation footage | |
| Matt Mahan | San Jose Mayor, Silicon Valley favorite; Newsom critic but trails the field |
Tonight’s Debate
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: KRON4’s San Francisco studio
- Broadcast Partners:
- KRON4, KTLA, KSWB/KUSI, KTXL, and KGET (Nexstar stations)
- Online streaming on KRON4.com, KTLA.com, KTLA’s YouTube channel, and its Facebook page
The debate will tackle pressing issues such as housing costs, homelessness, and the growing outflow of residents and businesses from California.
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