Steve Hilton opened Wednesday night’s California gubernatorial debate with an immediate provocation, reviving a controversial Washington insult aimed at Xavier Becerra. The Republican reminded viewers that a former Biden administration official had once referred to Becerra as “Bitch-ass,” setting an unusually combative mood from the first moments of the only scheduled debate.
Throughout the CNN showdown, Hilton pressed Becerra on taxes, bureaucracy and his tenure as California attorney general. Becerra, the Democratic front-runner, responded by criticizing Hilton’s tax proposal and highlighting his alliance with President Donald Trump.
“Thank you to CNN for bringing Xavier Becerra out of hiding,” Hilton said in his opening attack.
Hilton used the national television platform to argue that Becerra had failed to deliver results as California’s top law-enforcement official.
“When you were there as attorney general, you did nothing,” Hilton said, repeating the charge for emphasis.
The debate soon shifted to the cost of living and California’s tax system. Hilton proposed eliminating taxes on the first $150,000 in income and repealing the state’s gas tax. Becerra warned that such reductions could ultimately harm working families.
Hilton argued that his plan would benefit both middle-income workers and higher earners, whom he credited with creating jobs. Becerra labeled the proposal “Trump tax cuts” and cautioned that it would give California’s wealthiest residents a tax break of as much as 40%.
Becerra added that he did not want Wall Street investors to have an easier path to homeownership than California teachers.
One of the debate’s more pointed moments came after Becerra argued that California should avoid repeating policies he believes have failed. Hilton quickly replied, “Yes, like voting Democrat.”
The candidates also sparred over artificial intelligence in schools. Hilton called for a temporary halt to AI use in California classrooms, while Becerra pointed to his legal actions against technology giants Google and Meta.
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“And I will continue to do so as governor,” Becerra said, pledging to pursue similar cases if elected.
Hilton challenged Becerra to identify a specific measure he had taken to reduce government red tape. Becerra cited his lawsuit against Huntington Beach, a city in Orange County.
“That’s more red tape,” Hilton responded.
Becerra also warned voters that a Hilton administration would deliver “Trump results,” pointing to Trump’s endorsement of the Republican candidate and support for his campaign.
Hilton entered the debate well behind Becerra in two September polls. The UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies survey showed Becerra leading 58% to 33%, while the Public Policy Institute of California Statewide Survey gave Becerra a 60%-to-38% advantage.
Outside the debate, Hilton has made Becerra’s record a central focus of his campaign. His website uses the nickname “Bitch-ass Becerra,” referencing a reported insult from Washington that has been attributed to former Biden administration adviser Susan Rice.
Because no second debate is currently planned, Wednesday’s confrontation represented the candidates’ only scheduled opportunity to directly challenge one another before California voters cast their ballots.
The California Post reported Tuesday that former Biden administration colleagues had raised questions about Becerra’s qualifications to serve as governor. One former colleague also alleged that Becerra referred to migrant children as “little Juanitos and Juanitas.”
“I do not think he is qualified to be the governor,” the former colleague told The Post.
“I don’t think he’s qualified to be the boss of anything.”
