CA Gov Candidates Spar at Debate       05/06 06:14

   

   LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Seven candidates who want to be California's next 
governor traded sharp attacks Tuesday in a wide-ranging debate that touched on 
issues from gas prices to raising taxes to healthcare in a contest that has no 
clear leader.

   The televised debate came as mail voting was already underway in advance of 
a primary election that ends June 2. It was clear from the testy tone that 
candidates viewed the matchup as a critical juncture, with a national audience 
watching as it aired on CNN. The candidates are vying to replace Democratic 
Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is barred by law from seeking a third term, to lead the 
nation's most populous state and one of the world's largest economies.

   During the two-hour showdown, Republicans Steve Hilton, a conservative 
commentator, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said Democrats have made 
life worse for California's nearly 40 million residents during more than 15 
years in the governor's office and that it's time for a change.

   The Democrats -- former state Attorney General Xavier Becerra, former U.S. 
Rep. Katie Porter,billionaire Tom Steyer, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and former 
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa -- tried to distinguish themselves on 
policy and said President Donald Trump is California's biggest threat.

   An overarching issue was the punishing cost of living in California and how 
it might be eased, underscoring deep partisan divides. The average gas price 
was more than $6 per gallon in California on Tuesday, according to AAA.

   Becerra was among those who argued Trump and the war in Iran are to blame 
for rapidly rising costs at the pump. Hilton and Bianco noted gas has long been 
much more expensive in California compared to other states due to taxes and 
regulations.

   But when Hilton said he could reduce gas prices to $3 a gallon, Mahan fired 
back, "You're lying to people."

   "Donald Trump is the president in all the other states in America where the 
cost of living is way lower than in California," responded Hilton, who has 
Trump's endorsement.

   "Boys, boys, enough with the bickering," Porter, the only woman on stage, 
interjected at one point.

   The contest is unfolding as California struggles with a long-running 
homeless crisis, wildfire insurance shortages, projected budget shortfalls and 
housing costs that are out of reach for many working-class families. Voters, 
meanwhile, are saddled with growing everyday bills for groceries, utilities and 
gas.

   Trump -- who is widely unpopular in California outside his conservative base 
-- was frequently denounced by Democrats, while Republicans said he was being 
used as a convenient scapegoat for the failures of the state's Democratic 
leadership.

   "Yes, I'm going to repeat Donald Trump as often as I have to because he's 
the real menace that we have in California," Becerra said.

   "Donald Trump sucks," Porter said bluntly.

   The candidates sparred over tax policy, with only Steyer saying he supports 
a one-time tax on billionaires that's likely to be on the ballot this November. 
He said it wasn't the only tax increase he'd seek. Porter, meanwhile, said the 
tax was too narrow and wouldn't make a real change. Mahan, who wants to suspend 
the state's gas tax, said his fellow Democrats have focused too much on 
expanding government rather than making it work better. Hilton pledged to make 
people's first $100,000 free of income tax.

   Candidates went on the attack against rivals

   Beyond policy, the candidates looked for openings to knock down their 
rivals. Becerra was peppered with questions about the federal indictment of his 
chief of staff and others, including a former top Newsom aide, alleging they 
stole campaign money from him. The indictment alleges the scheme was designed 
to pad the salary of Becerra's chief of staff when Becerra was serving as the 
federal health secretary. Several people involved have pleaded guilty.

   Becerra has not been implicated or indicted, but Villaraigosa and Hilton 
used the incident to question his judgment and suggest he may have been 
involved. Hilton said that, if elected, he would even push the state attorney 
general to investigate Becerra.

   "If I had been involved, the U.S. attorney would have had me in that 
indictment. I was not involved," Becerra said.

   Bianco faced questions about his decision to seize more than half a million 
ballots in Riverside County to investigate claims of election fraud that local 
officials say are unfounded. The state Supreme Court ordered his investigation 
halted.

   Porter was asked about a new ad in which she refers in jest to an 
embarrassing video that surfaced last year showing the former House member 
loudly berating a staffer. Porter said it showed "I'm able to take 
responsibility."

   She added, "If these boys bullying and bickering hasn't been enough to raise 
questions about their temperament, I would really challenge that."

   Hilton, meanwhile, refused to answer when pressed about whether Trump lost 
the 2020 presidential election.

   California puts all candidates on a single ballot and the two with the most 
votes go on to the November general election, regardless of party. Democrats 
have worried that their crowded field could result in two Republicans 
advancing, which would be a historic calamity for the party.

   The GOP has not won a statewide election in California in two decades, and 
registered Democrats outnumber Republicans about 2-to-1 statewide.