LOS ANGELES - Seven top-polling candidates vying to become California's next governor clashed Wednesday during one of the last televised debates before the June primary election.

The debate, hosted by NBC and Telemundo Los Angeles, featured Steve Hilton, Chad Bianco, Tom Steyer, Xavier Becerra, Katie Porter, Matt Mahan and Antonio Villaraigosa at the Skirball Cultural Center.

Steve Hilton, former Fox News host, has been polling as the frontrunner in the race for California's governor for months. And his pitch has been consistent: Democrats should be blamed for the high cost of living and other problems.

The Republican candidate asked California voters whether they want to continue to have a Democratic governor in the deep blue state on challenges such as a housing shortage, homelessness and the insurance crisis.

Despite previous differences, Republican candidates Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco mostly stayed away from attacking each other. (Bianco suggested to NBCLA's Conan Nolan previously that Republicans should unite behind one candidate, and that candidate is himself.)

On the issue of California’s insurance crisis as insurance companies are leaving California, Becerra said he would call for a rate freeze -- while other Democrats all disagreed, saying it’ll drive remaining insurers out of the state.

When the candidates were asked about California's sanctuary status, the Democrats and Republicans fiercely disagreed with fiery comments.

After Chad Bianco blamed the state's sanctuary policy for allowing undocumented immigrants to commit crimes against Americans, Antonio Villaraigosa slammed him for his MAGA stance.

The California Billionaire Tax Act is one of the most controversial proposals that could make the ballot in November.

The initiative, which seeks to impose a one-time 5% tax on the net worth of billionaires in California, is supported by some labor unions but opposed by Democratic leaders like Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Everyone on the debate stage said he or she does not support the proposal -- except for one person: billionaire candidate Tom Steyer.

Story Date: May 29, 2026