What to watch in CNN’s California governor race debate

California voters will get a side-by-side look at the two men seeking the governor's office when Xavier Becerra, the Democratic nominee, and Steve Hilton, the Republican, face off in a CNN debate from Burbank. The contest matters because a majority of likely voters think the state is on the wrong track, and the race will help settle whether they fault the Democrats who govern California or Donald Trump's Republican Party. The winner succeeds Gavin Newsom, who is barred from running again, and will lead a state that holds about 12% of Americans.

Becerra, who served as Health and Human Services secretary under Joe Biden, holds a commanding advantage in a Public Policy Institute of California survey from early September: 60% to 38%. That survey also found 52% of likely voters unhappy with the state's direction and 77% unhappy with the country's. Hilton is a former Fox News host and British political operative who won Trump's endorsement in the primary.

Cost of living dominates both platforms. Hilton vows to phase out income taxes on the first $150,000 earned, promises gas under $3 per gallon and halved utility bills, and would fund his plans by cutting high-speed rail, homelessness nonprofits and 5% of departmental budgets. Democrats in the legislature would likely resist. Becerra proposes free electricity for poor households for up to two hours and an emergency order freezing utility and insurance rates. His campaign has been cautious, avoiding interviews and specifics, and he stresses his record instead.

Summarized by PolitiKool from CNN’s reporting. Read the full story at CNN →