Becerra Gains Momentum as Villaraigosa Surges in CA Debate

CNN’s California gubernatorial debate yielded no fireworks, but analysts saw Xavier Becerra steadying as the front-runner, Antonio Villaraigosa delivering a comeback performance, Steve Hilton consolidating Republican support, and Chad Bianco taking the biggest hit for conspiracy-tinged rhetoric; Katie Porter showed strength on issues like single-payer but faced questions about temperament, while Tom Steyer offered energetic, reform‑minded contrast; with mail ballots already arriving, the race remains unsettled a month before the June 2 primary.