Becerra rises as eight-way Pomona debate tests California voters

Eight candidates debated for 90 minutes at Pomona College in the second of three debates before the June 2 primary. The night highlighted Xavier Becerra’s sharper performance and Tony Thurmond’s compelling personal narrative, while Steve Hilton maintained a polling edge based on prior surveys, and no clear breakout winner emerged. The discussion covered affordability, homelessness, housing, gas taxes, energy, healthcare, and disaster preparedness, with moderators rotating formats and cutting mics, creating a chaotic but revealing dynamic as campaigns vie for narrow air time ahead of mail ballots going out.