Becerra ties Hilton to Trump in final California debate as polling gap widens

Key points

• Becerra, the Democratic frontrunner, consistently tied Hilton’s fiscal and immigration proposals to Trump’s agenda, arguing that California voters would receive 'Trump results' under Hilton’s governance.
• Hilton, a former Fox News host, attempted to differentiate himself by promising to 'lower the temperature' on immigration and enforce California’s sanctuary laws, though he previously praised Trump’s enforcement tactics.
• The debate featured sharp exchanges on artificial intelligence, with Hilton calling for a pause on AI in classrooms and avoiding commitments to state regulation, which Becerra used to further link him to Trump’s deregulation stance.
• Hilton attacked Becerra’s record as Health Secretary, citing a child migrant crisis and internal criticisms from Biden administration officials, but failed to significantly alter the perception of Becerra’s dominance in the polls.
• Outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom declined to watch the debate, instead focusing on a documentary interview, and advised his successor that legislative lobbying would be a constant challenge.

Background

Becerra has maintained a significant lead in recent polls, including a 22-point margin in a September Public Policy Institute survey. Hilton has proposed controversial measures, such as abolishing the DMV and capping car fees, to appeal to voters frustrated by high costs of living. The race is viewed as a test of whether a Republican can win in deep-blue California despite Trump’s low approval ratings in the state.

How outlets are covering it

Politico and CNN both emphasized Becerra’s strategy of tethering Hilton to Trump, noting that Hilton’s attempts to distance himself were ineffective. CNN highlighted Hilton’s aggressive attacks on Becerra’s past performance and his focus on breaking Democratic control, while Politico noted Hilton’s rhetorical style contrasted with Becerra’s cautious approach. Yahoo’s coverage was largely obscured by technical errors, but the available snippets confirmed the focus on affordability and immigration. All sources agreed that the debate was unlikely to change the outcome, given Becerra’s substantial polling advantage.

Why it matters

The outcome of this race will determine the direction of California’s policies on immigration, AI, and taxation in the nation’s most populous state. A Hilton victory would signal a potential shift in Republican strategy in blue states, while a Becerra win would reinforce the dominance of Democratic governance in California and its alignment with federal Democratic policies.

What to watch

The November 3 election will determine the next governor of California. Campaigns will likely focus on final appeals to voters on affordability and immigration, with Hilton attempting to consolidate the Republican vote and Becerra emphasizing his record and opposition to Trump’s policies.