Becerra and Hilton to Hold First Gubernatorial Debate

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are scheduled to participate in their first one-on-one debate on September 30, 2026. The hour-long event, hosted by CNN, will take place at the network's studios in Burbank, California, with Jake Tapper and Dana Bash serving as moderators. The debate is set to begin at 6 p.m. Pacific Time and 9 p.m. Eastern Time. The timing of the debate is significant, occurring just days before California counties are set to begin mailing ballots to registered voters for the November 3 general election. Mail-in ballots are expected to be sent out no later than October 5. This faceoff is anticipated to be the most nationally televised gubernatorial debate in California since 2010, drawing considerable attention to the race to succeed termed-out Governor Gavin Newsom. Hilton, a former Fox News host, has repeatedly called for debates, accusing Becerra, a former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and California Attorney General, of avoiding public scrutiny.