Xavier Becerra

As early voting begins, the leading candidates for governor targeted Xavier Becerra in a CNN debate. Nothing that happened on the debate stage was necessarily a game-changer.

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. 

Republicans Steve Hilton and Sheriff Chad Bianco still lead but Xavier Becerra shot up from 4% to 13%, topping all the Democrats.

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.

Prosecutions, referenda, recalls and regulatory agencies have, over the years, curbed some of California's government corruption, but not all of it.

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.

The seven-term congressmember is running on protecting Californians from the Trump administration and from rising prices. While he’s developed a reputation as a professional GOP antagonist, the challenge will be proving he has what it takes to deliver on the elusive affordability promise.

Newsom's former chief of staff is accused of misusing campaign money, lying to get a COVID loan and calling personal purchases, like designer goods and a luxurious vacation, business expenses.

What will California’s next governor do about health care? Four Democrats in the race say answering the Trump Administration’s cuts and making care affordable is important. But they disagree about how to pay for that.