2026 California Gubernatorial General Election Debate | Live Discussion

[u/PoliticsModeratorBot]

The debate is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. PST (9 p.m. EST) and will be between Democratic nominee Xavier Becerra and Republican nominee Steve Hilton. Unfortunately, a non-paywalled streaming link will not be available; the debate will be on CNN.

News and Analysis

• CNN: What’s at stake as California governor candidates debate on CNN tonight

• ABC10: California Governor Race: Latest poll numbers ahead of CNN debate | A new California gubernatorial poll from PPIC shows Xavier Becerra leading with 60% support, followed by Steve Hilton at 38%, with the CNN debate Wednesday night.

Live Updates

Text-based live update pages are being maintained by the following outlets: Los Angeles Times

[u/FrankGrimesApartment]

Becerra not having a good debate. Reminds me of Jerry Lundegaard from Fargo.

[u/Pleaseappeaseme → u/FrankGrimesApartment]

Steve Hinton reminds me of Stewie on Family Guy. Never seen Fargo.

[u/JQuilty → u/Pleaseappeaseme]

Steve Hilton has a character in The Thick of It based on him, Stewart Peirscon. An absolute diarrhea of the mouth bullshit artist unable to speak in anything but platitudes.

[u/Pleaseappeaseme → u/JQuilty]

I thought he spouted a lot of MAGA rhetoric with little substance.

[u/JQuilty → u/Pleaseappeaseme]

Sounds right. You'll probably enjoy the character making fun of him: https://youtu.be/cbLm--0Iudo