Katie Porter

Californians are voting on a wide-open governor's race. Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton and Tom Steyer are leading in polls but only two will move on to the general election.

Candidates for California governor faced off in one last debate before the primary. Republicans begged a liberal state to vote differently, Matt Mahan sought to place himself in the middle and everyone came for Xavier Becerra.

Democratic frontrunner for California governor Xavier Becerra has dodged weeks of criticism about his record. His dismissals reflect a confident position near the top of the polls.

Recent polling suggests it’s unlikely that two Republicans would lock Democrats out of the November gubernatorial election. But some liberal activists are still panicking about the possibility of a MAGA governor. Their solution could delay California’s already slow ballot-counting.

Onetime progressive darling Katie Porter’s campaign for governor stalled over viral videos that critics say showed temperament issues. Seven months later, they’re still her biggest liability.

In a chaotic debate Tuesday night in Claremont, Democrats targeted Steyer and Becerra and everyone sought a breakout moment. No one broke out of the pack.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan dominated fellow Democrats in fundraising, bringing in $13 million. Katie Porter raised $2.8 million, Xavier Becerra brought in $1 million, Antonio Villaraigosa raised $707,000 and Tony Thurmond raised just $62,000. 

Eight Democrats and two Republicans have filed officially to run for California governor. Their names will appear on the June ballot even if they drop out.

The progressive goal of single-payer health care has become a staple of Democratic platforms, even if it faces as many hurdles as ever.

It takes tens of millions of dollars to run a statewide campaign for governor. Strategists say the many Democratic candidates aren’t raising money quickly enough.