California Governor Candidates Debate

The debate in San Francisco highlighted a wide-open race with no clear leader emerging to succeed Gavin Newsom.

Democrats Becerra, Kounalakis, and Villaraigosa took aim at the Trump administration's immigration and environmental agendas, while Republican challengers focused on high gas prices and retail crime.

The forum served as a critical test for candidates looking to coalesce support ahead of the June primary.

Analysts noted that the shadow of Swalwell's misconduct scandal still loomed over the discussion, despite his absence from the stage.