BURBANK, Calif. (FOX26) — Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra faced off Wednesday night in their first and only scheduled debate in the race for California governor.
The two went back and forth on affordability, immigration, housing, artificial intelligence and several other issues facing California.
But two men who were not on the stage came up again and again: President Donald Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Cost of living
The debate started with an issue hitting Californians every day: affordability.
Hilton defended his plan to eliminate state income taxes on the first $150,000 of income and argued Californians need immediate relief.
“The quickest way to get more money in people’s pockets is for the government to take less out,” Hilton said.
Becerra argued Hilton’s tax plan would benefit the wealthiest Californians and lead to cuts elsewhere. He also repeatedly connected Hilton’s proposals to Trump.
“You’re going to end up with Trump results if you follow Steve Hilton’s plans,” Becerra said.
Hilton later pushed back.
“All you ever say is Trump, Trump, Trump,” Hilton said.
Immigration
Immigration brought some of the most heated back and forth of the night.
Hilton said he would follow California’s sanctuary state law and prioritize removing undocumented immigrants who have committed dangerous crimes.
Becerra challenged Hilton over his support for Trump’s immigration policies.
“You seem to welcome immigrants who look like you, but deport immigrants who look like me,” Becerra said.
Hilton called the remark “disgraceful” and argued voters want solutions instead of political attacks.
AI and data centers
The candidates were also asked about artificial intelligence and the growth of data centers, an issue that has gained attention in the Central Valley over concerns about water and electricity use.
Becerra said he would support limits when a proposed data center does not benefit the community where it would be built.
“If all you’re going to do is rob their energy, electricity and their water, that’s not a good deal,” Becerra said. “And we should say no.”
Hilton focused on keeping more of the jobs tied to the AI industry in California, arguing that high-end manufacturing and infrastructure jobs have been going to states including Texas and Arizona.
Agriculture and water
The Central Valley came up again when the debate turned to agriculture and water.
Hilton accused Becerra of hurting farmers through litigation over California water policy.
“Agriculture, which he helped destroy in this state by suing to stop our farmers getting the water that they need,” Hilton said.
Becerra pushed back, saying the case was about California’s authority over its water policy.
“We have a right to make sure water in California is regulated by California,” Becerra said. “I sued and we won.”
Two different pitches to voters
By the end of the debate, Hilton was making the case for a change in leadership after years of Democratic control in Sacramento.
“We’ve got to try something different this time instead of voting for more of the same and expecting a different result,” Hilton said.
Becerra leaned on his years of experience in state and federal government.
“Steve, there aren’t training wheels in the governor’s office,” Becerra said. “You have to know how to do the job.”
The debate was the only scheduled head-to-head between Hilton and Becerra before Election Day.