An Analysis of the final Gubernatorial Debate Heading Into June Election
California’s final major gubernatorial debate before the primary is in the books — and Jon Fleischman breaks down who helped themselves, who hurt themselves, and what the debate revealed about the state of the race.
In this rapid-fire analysis, Jon examines:
• Why Xavier Becerra spent the night under siege over scandal questions
• How Steve Hilton emerged once again as the strongest communicator on stage
• Why Katie Porter may have had her best debate — possibly too late
• The continuing strengths and limitations of Chad Bianco
• Why Matt Mahan still hasn’t broken through
• Tom Steyer’s growing authenticity problem
• Antonio Villaraigosa’s struggle to escape the past
• Why Xavier Becerra spent the night under siege over scandal questions
• How Steve Hilton emerged once again as the strongest communicator on stage
• Why Katie Porter may have had her best debate — possibly too late
• The continuing strengths and limitations of Chad Bianco
• Why Matt Mahan still hasn’t broken through
• Tom Steyer’s growing authenticity problem
• Antonio Villaraigosa’s struggle to escape the past
Jon also explains why, after five debates, the field remains remarkably unsettled heading into the final stretch of voting — with one notable exception: Eric Swalwell, whose campaign imploded before the race ever fully took shape.
A blunt, substantive, and unapologetically opinionated breakdown of the final debate in California’s race to replace Gavin Newsom.
