Steve Hilton Republican candidates Xavier Becerra Katie Porter Democratic candidates California governor debate CBS debate 2024 California election Pomona College debate California politics

The first half hour of CBS’ California gubernatorial debate on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 spiraled into disarray as moderators Pat Harvey and Tony Lopez struggled to enforce the 45-second response rule for eight leading candidates.

Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra ignited the chaos by attacking Republican hopeful Steve Hilton, stating,

"The first thing we have to do is stop Steve Hilton’s daddy."
When CBS Los Angeles anchor Harvey clarified that Trump is not Hilton’s father, Hilton responded,
"My dad was goalie on the Hungarian national ice hockey team. I don’t think he weighed in on this issue at all."

Hilton then pivoted to criticize the state’s leadership:

"We had the same people in charge for 16 years now, and because it’s such a disaster and such a high cost of living for everyone, and the highest property rate in the country and the highest unemployment rate, they can’t do anything except blame Trump. We need change."

After Becerra and Hilton’s remarks, candidates repeatedly ignored time limits, and moderators lost control. Harvey attempted to justify the disorder, stating,

"everyone wants to talk at this debate, so that means we’re doing a good job."
The candidates disagreed, with several complaining about unequal speaking time.

Katie Porter (D) joked,

"This is worse than my teenagers at dinner."
Even a Pomona College student, who delivered the first question, acknowledged the chaos:
"That was a bit of a mess."

Debate Format and Participants

This was the largest and most inclusive gubernatorial debate of the 2024 election cycle, held at Bridges Auditorium on the Pomona College campus. The event, hosted by CBS LA, CBS Bay Area, and CBS Sacramento, included a lightning round with yes-or-no questions and no opening or closing statements.

Eligible participants were candidates with active campaigns, listed on the ballot, and polling at least 1% support in both the Emerson College and L.A. Times/UC Berkeley surveys. The eight candidates were:

  • Xavier Becerra (D) – Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary
  • Matt Mahan (D) – San Jose Mayor
  • Katie Porter (D) – Former U.S. Representative and Orange County candidate
  • Tom Steyer (D) – Billionaire hedge fund founder
  • Tony Thurmond (D) – California Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • Antonio Villaraigosa (D) – Former Los Angeles Mayor
  • Steve Hilton (R) – Former Fox News commentator
  • Chad Bianco (R) – Riverside County Sheriff

The debate was organized in collaboration with the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs Association.

Source: The Wrap
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