The stakes couldn't be higher. Who can stand out in the tightly packed California gubernatorial field in Wednesday night’s debate? Since the lightning-quick crash and burn of frontrunner Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14) earlier in April over allegations of sexual harassment and even rape, the number of credible candidates has shrunk to six.
Yes, there are over 61 names on the ballot, but let’s face it, most of them don’t have a snowball’s chance in the oven.
One of these names will likely be the next governor of the Golden State after Gavin Newsom terms out in January: Democrats Xavier Becerra (HHS secretary under Biden) San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Rep. and potato assailant Katie Porter, billionaire former hedge fund manager and wild-eyed anti-ICE zealot Tom Steyer, or lord let it happen, one of the two leading Republicans: entrepreneur and former British government advisor Steve Hilton or Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.
The race for California governor heats up in a live KTLA debate Wednesday at 7 p.m. Find out how to watch here: https://t.co/a2hghcXQa0 pic.twitter.com/ZzQZaGyHsI
— KTLA (@KTLA) April 21, 2026
In a stunning development, considering we’re talking California, Bianco and Hilton both find themselves atop the polls. As we’ve written, if they land in the top two of the open primary, which ends June 2, that will guarantee a Republican governor for the first time in 15 years.
MORE: GOP Candidate Steve Hilton Reminds the Media That CA Gubernatorial Race Isn't About Donald Trump
The Democrats have a serious problem on their hands: their candidates stink. Want proof of that? The perverted Swalwell was leading the pack. If he was their best foot forward, imagine how bad the others are?
Katie Porter is a toxic mean girl who abuses staffers on tape and who once allegedly poured scalding potatoes over her ex-husband’s head, Becerra has the charisma of a potted plant, Steyer comes across as a Malibu stoner who watches Fast Times at Ridgemont High regularly, while Mahan is just… meh. And few people, except for political junkies, know the first thing about him.
This is a crucial chance for someone to make their mark:
Candidates have taken relatively few risks so far in debates around the state, but every candidate is now eyeing a chance to jump to the front of the pack.
“Even though we have seen some movement in the last couple of weeks, it continues to be a fairly crowded, fractured field,” said Sara Sadhwani, an assistant professor of politics at Pomona College. “So candidates need to be able to grab attention in a debate like this.”
Toxic Katie Porter Goes From Bad to Worse, Pathetically Tries to Explain Abusive Videos
This one could be huge, and define the path forward for the state with the largest population in the U.S. — a state that has pitifully lost its way and become a bastion of extreme leftism and failure. It’s easy to laugh at the foibles of the Golden State, but the reality is that what happens here has profound effects on the rest of the country.
Here’s the good news: RedState will have you covered. Managing Editor Jennifer Van Laar will be on site and will give her analysis on NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich Tonight at 11:30 p.m. ET, and NewsNation will also be simulcasting the faceoff nationally.
Get the popcorn and the beverages ready! And maybe have a bingo game at hand: will Katie Porter lose her temper and start shrieking expletives, will Tom Steyer endorse civil war, will Becerra put us to sleep, or will Steve Hilton just outclass the Dems because he’s smarter than all of them put together?
Two Republicans currently lead the polls in California’s race for governor as the GOP looks to flip the reliably blue state red. NewsNation’s @MillsHayesTV previews tonight’s gubernatorial debate.
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) April 22, 2026
Watch the debate live on NewsNation, with special coverage starting at 8p/7C.… pic.twitter.com/YMZMUVyBJr
It’s showtime.
Editor's Note: The Democrat Party has never been less popular as voters reject its globalist agenda.
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