Becerra and Hilton clash over Trump, taxes and immigration in CNN debate

In short: Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton held what was described as their first and likely only scheduled debate in California’s governor race.

What happened

Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton debated on CNN in Burbank on September 30, 2026. The race is to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, who cannot run again because of term limits. The candidates are scheduled to face voters on November 3.

A major theme was President Trump. Becerra repeatedly tied Hilton to Trump’s policies, since Hilton has Trump’s endorsement. Hilton pushed back and said Becerra talked too much about Trump and not enough about solutions for California’s high cost of living.

On taxes, Hilton proposed ending state income tax on the first $150,000 someone earns each year, then charging an 8% tax rate on income above that. Becerra argued the plan would help wealthier Californians more and said it resembled Trump-era tax cuts. Both candidates said they oppose a separate proposal for a one-time 5% tax on Californians worth more than $1 billion.

Immigration was another flashpoint. Becerra criticized Trump’s enforcement approach and challenged Hilton over past support for crackdowns. Hilton said he wanted to “lower the temperature” and said he would enforce California’s sanctuary law, while still allowing cooperation in serious crime cases.

The debate also touched on housing, homelessness, affordability and AI, along with other state issues.

Why it matters

This may be the only time many voters see the two candidates directly challenge each other before Election Day. Their tax and immigration positions could affect how much people pay, what services the state can fund and how California works with federal immigration authorities.

Source: NYTimes