Six California Governor Candidates Clash Over Homelessness, Taxes, And Social Media Rules
Six leading California governor candidates clashed over homelessness, taxes and social media rules during a televised debate in Los Angeles on April 23, 2026, raising stakes in the crowded primary.
The hour-and-a-half Los Angeles forum brought Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco and Democrats Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Xavier Becerra and Matt Mahan onto one stage. They sparred over homelessness, with Democrats largely defending Gov. Gavin Newsom's record and Republicans saying billions have been spent with little progress. Candidates also debated possible statewide limits on social media for children, wildfire insurance, and state gas taxes. Steyer and Becerra said they would back a ban on social media use for people under 16, while Bianco and Mahan said the choice should be left to parents. Mahan attacked Steyer, saying "The only housing Tom Steyer's built has been private prisons and ICE detention centers." Moderator Nikki Laurenzo pressed Becerra about comments that "many of us heard the rumors" about Eric Swalwell, and he answered that rumors are not facts.
The debate comes as Democrats worry a crowded primary could let two Republicans reach the November runoff under California's top-two system. The field has shifted recently: Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress and left the race amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations, while Betty Yee dropped out and endorsed Steyer. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas endorsed Becerra, and Becerra and Mahan were late additions to the debate lineup after Swalwell's exit. A conservative group has filed an ethics complaint asking federal investigators to probe whether Swalwell used his office to promote his Findraiser AI startup.
Early coverage framed the debate mainly as a partisan clash over homelessness, with Democrats defending Newsom and Republicans calling the state's record a "dismal failure." Later reporting broadened focus to include sharp divisions on social media policy, highlighting that Democrats like Becerra and Steyer support a ban for under-16s while Republicans prefer parental control. MS NOW emphasized the homelessness debate and warnings about the top-two system, while PBS brought more detail on the social media proposals.
The April debate was billed as the first major televised forum and could change endorsements and voter calculations as the primary approaches. With the field in flux, candidates' positions on homelessness, taxes and technology may determine who survives the primary and who faces the other party in November.
📌 Key Facts
- A major televised gubernatorial debate among leading California candidates was held in Los Angeles in late April 2026 (reported April 22–23).
- Six candidates participated: Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco; Democrats Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Xavier Becerra, and Matt Mahan.
- The debate ran more than 90 minutes and covered homelessness and housing, wildfire insurance, social media rules for children, gas taxes and other cost-of-living issues.
- Candidates split along party lines on homelessness: Democrats generally defended Gov. Gavin Newsom’s record and emphasized lowering household costs, while Republicans called the state’s homelessness response a 'dismal failure' and argued billions have been spent with little progress.
- Matt Mahan attacked Tom Steyer, saying 'The only housing Tom Steyer's built has been private prisons and ICE detention centers,' tying Steyer to private-prison investments.
- Moderator questioning pressed Xavier Becerra over his earlier comment that 'many of us heard the rumors' about Eric Swalwell; Becerra responded that 'rumors are not facts,' said the Democratic caucus does not adjudicate such claims, and argued law enforcement must investigate if someone comes forward.
- Recent campaign shifts: Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress and dropped out of the governor’s race amid multiple sexual-misconduct allegations and investigations (Los Angeles County DA, Manhattan DA, Justice Department); Betty Yee dropped out and endorsed Tom Steyer; Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas endorsed Xavier Becerra; Becerra and Matt Mahan were late additions to the debate lineup.
- A conservative watchdog (Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust) filed a fresh ethics complaint urging probes into whether Swalwell used his office to promote his Findraiser AI fundraising startup.
- On a potential statewide ban on social media for children under 16, Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer said they supported a ban, while Chad Bianco and Matt Mahan said the issue should be left to parents.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"The WSJ opinion argues that Katie Porter may get a political boost in the California governor’s race because Eric Swalwell’s resignation amid allegations makes her perceived faults look minor by comparison, creating a limited opening to regain momentum."
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms debate took place in Los Angeles on April 23, 2026, with over 90 minutes of questions on housing, wildfire insurance, social media, and gas taxes.
- Details each candidate's position on a possible statewide ban on social media use for children under 16, including Becerra and Steyer supporting a ban and Bianco and Mahan saying it should be left to parents.
- Provides clearer partisan framing on homelessness, with Democrats generally crediting Gov. Gavin Newsom and Republicans calling the state’s homelessness record a 'dismal failure.'
- Adds direct quote from Tom Steyer that 'Donald Trump is trying to punish California every way he can.'
- Quotes Matt Mahan’s attack that 'The only housing Tom Steyer's built has been private prisons and ICE detention centers.'
- Moderator Nikki Laurenzo pressed Xavier Becerra to clarify his earlier comment that 'many of us heard the rumors' about Eric Swalwell, asking what rumors he heard and whether he should have acted as caucus chair.
- Becerra responded that 'rumors are not facts,' said the Democratic caucus does not adjudicate such claims, and argued that only law enforcement can investigate if someone comes forward.
- The article details a fresh ethics complaint by the conservative Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust urging the Justice Department's Office of Congressional Conduct to probe whether Swalwell leveraged his office to promote his Findraiser AI fundraising startup.
- It reiterates that Swalwell has resigned from Congress and dropped out of the governor's race, and is under investigation by the Los Angeles County DA, the Manhattan DA, and the Justice Department over multiple sexual misconduct allegations.
- Confirms that the first major televised debate has taken place in Los Angeles on April 22, 2026.
- Identifies the six participants by name and party: Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco; Democrats Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Xavier Becerra, and Matt Mahan.
- Details clear partisan split over homelessness, with Democrats generally defending Gavin Newsom's record and Republicans arguing billions have been spent with little progress.
- Quotes Matt Mahan attacking Tom Steyer by saying the only housing Steyer has built is private prisons and ICE detention centers, tying him to private prison investments.
- Notes top-two primary structure and Democrats' fear that a crowded field could allow two Republicans to advance to November.
- Reports recent candidate exits (Eric Swalwell resigning from Congress amid sexual assault allegations he denies; Betty Yee dropping out and endorsing Steyer) and endorsements (Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas backing Becerra).
- Explains that Becerra and Mahan were late additions to the debate lineup after Swalwell left the race.
- Adds characterization of Democrats largely agreeing on bringing down household costs and countering President Donald Trump's agenda, while differing mainly in records and personal brands.