Becerra, Hilton Spar Over California Costs and AI in 34-Day Governor Race
Updated
Updated · KABC-TV · Oct 1
Becerra, Hilton Spar Over California Costs and AI in 34-Day Governor Race
3 articles · Updated · KABC-TV · Oct 1
Summary
34 days before Election Day, Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton used a CNN debate to offer starkly different pitches on California, with Hilton casting himself as a change candidate and Becerra leaning on his government record.
Affordability drove much of the clash: Hilton said cutting spending and canceling high-speed rail would lower costs, while Becerra argued experience in balancing budgets and public service better equips him to protect the "California dream."
Artificial intelligence and data centers emerged as a notable flashpoint, with Becerra warning projects should not drain local water and electricity without community benefit, and Hilton saying safety must be the priority, through companies or regulation.
The hour-long exchange also turned personal and combative, including Hilton's jab that CNN had brought Becerra "out of hiding" and a sharp back-and-forth over gas prices and Trump's war with Iran.
The race will decide who succeeds term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Republicans are trying to reclaim a governor's office they have not held since Arnold Schwarzenegger left in 2011.