Steve Hilton opened Wednesday night’s debate ready for confrontation, invoking a notorious Washington insult aimed at Xavier Becerra. The Republican reminded voters that a former Biden administration official had once referred to Becerra as “Bitch-ass,” immediately giving California’s only scheduled gubernatorial debate a combative edge as Becerra defended his record from the opening moments.
The Republican challenger repeatedly pressed Becerra on taxes, government bureaucracy and his tenure as California attorney general. Becerra, the Democratic front-runner, responded by attacking Hilton’s tax proposals and highlighting his alliance with President Donald Trump.
“Thank you to CNN for bringing Xavier Becerra out of hiding,” Hilton said.
Hilton used the CNN debate to accuse Becerra of failing to take meaningful action while serving as the state’s top law-enforcement official.
“When you were there as Attorney General, you did nothing,” Hilton said. “You did nothing.”
The debate soon shifted to taxes. Hilton proposed eliminating taxes on the first $150,000 of income and repealing California’s gas tax, while Becerra argued that such reductions would ultimately harm working residents.
Hilton said his plan would benefit working Californians as well as higher-income residents, whom he argued help create jobs. Becerra labeled the proposal “Trump tax cuts” and warned that it would provide the state’s wealthiest residents with a 40% tax break.
Becerra added that he did not want Wall Street investors to have an easier time buying California homes than the state’s teachers.
One of the evening’s most pointed exchanges followed. When Becerra argued that California should avoid repeating policies he believes have failed, Hilton responded: “Yes, like voting Democrat.”
Artificial intelligence also became a point of disagreement. Hilton called for a pause on the use of AI in California classrooms, while Becerra cited his lawsuits against Google and Meta.
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“And I will continue to do so as governor,” Becerra said.
Hilton then challenged Becerra to identify a single action he had taken to reduce government red tape. Becerra pointed to his lawsuit against the city of Huntington Beach in Orange County.
“That’s more red tape,” Hilton replied.
Becerra also warned that California would see “Trump results” under a Hilton administration. Trump has endorsed Hilton and supported his campaign.
Hilton entered the debate behind Becerra in two September polls. The UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies Poll showed Becerra leading 58% to 33%, while the Public Policy Institute of California Statewide Survey put the race at 60% for Becerra and 38% for Hilton.
Outside the debate, Hilton has made Becerra’s record a central campaign issue. His campaign website prominently uses the nickname “Bitch-ass Becerra,” referencing a reported Washington-era insult attributed to former Biden administration adviser Susan Rice.
Because no second debate was scheduled, Wednesday’s event represented the candidates’ only planned opportunity to attack one another directly before California voters cast their ballots.
The California Post reported Tuesday that former Biden administration colleagues had questioned Becerra’s qualifications to become governor. One former colleague alleged that Becerra had referred disparagingly to migrant children as “little Juanitos and Juanitas.”
“I do not think he is qualified to be the governor,” Becerra’s former colleague told The Post.
“I don’t think he’s qualified to be the boss of anything.”
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