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California Governor Debate: Rivals Gang up on Democratic Frontrunner Becerra
Candidates traded attacks on Xavier Becerra as a former aide’s guilty plea and other controversies dominated a low-energy final debate, analysts said.
On Thursday, seven California gubernatorial candidates gathered in San Francisco for a 90-minute televised debate, their final opportunity to appeal to voters before the June 2 primary election.
Democratic frontrunner Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra faced intense scrutiny over a scandal involving his former aide, Dana Williamson, who pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing $225,000 from his dormant campaign account.
Rivals attacked Becerra's record and ethics during the debate, while former Rep. Katie Porter challenged him to explain how he would generate revenue to pay for his plans.
Recent polls show undecided voters hovering around 12%, and Democratic leaders worry that having too many candidates could result in their party being shut out of the general election.
No candidate has polled higher than 20%, reflecting a murky race where none of the contenders have truly captured the zeitgeist of today's California.