Takeaways from the latest California governor’s debate | CNN Politics

Eight candidates seeking to become California’s next governor met for an unwieldy debate Tuesday, where the candidates discussed their plans to make the state more affordable and sought to gain ground in an unsettled field. The debate, hosted by CBS News-owned stations in California, comes as the race’s remaining candidates seek to carve out a lane for themselves after former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s exit from the contest earlier this month. Xavier Becerra, a former Health and Human Services secretary under former President Joe Biden, has risen in recent polls, seen a boost in fundraising, and earned more endorsements. But as Tuesday’s debate made clear, that rise has also come with new attacks from his opponents in both parties, including a pair of attack ads released by billionaire investor Tom Steyer. The two Republicans and six Democrats sparred with each other – and, at times, the moderators – during the 90-minute event in Claremont, California. In addition to Becerra and Steyer, the other candidates on stage were Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, former Fox News host Steve Hilton, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former US Rep. Katie Porter, state Superintendent of Publ