Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton clashed over taxes, immigration, homelessness and artificial intelligence Wednesday night in the sole scheduled televised debate of California's 2026 gubernatorial election.

Moderated by CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash at the network's Burbank studio, the hourlong debate came ahead of the Nov. 3 election to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Becerra, who previously served as California's attorney general and as U.S. secretary of health, on several occasions connected Hilton with President Donald Trump, whereas Hilton maintained that it was California's long-standing Democratic leadership which was to blame for problems such as the high cost of living and homelessness.

A poll carried out by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and jointly sponsored by the Los Angeles Times between Sept.15 and 20 showed that Becerra had the support of 58% of likely voters, as against 33% for Hilton. The survey, which interviewed 4,512 likely voters, had a margin of error of 2 percentage points.

Becerra's central debate strategy was to connect Hilton to Trump and the president's policies on issues including taxes, immigration, oil drilling and artificial intelligence.

Becerra mentioned Trump more than a dozen times during the hourlong debate, according to CalMatters. When asked about Hilton's proposal to eliminate income taxes on the first $150,000 in earnings, Becerra said, "You're going to end up with Trump results if you follow Steve Hilton's plans."

Trump endorsed Hilton during the Republican primary. Hilton has since sought to distinguish himself from the president and the Republican Party while continuing to campaign as a Republican.

Hilton pushed back against Becerra's repeated references to Trump, arguing that the debate should focus on California's problems.

"All you ever say is, 'Trump, Trump, Trump.' And that's nothing but an insult to every Californian who is desperate for something to change in this state," he said.

The exchange reflected the broader divide that ran through the debate: Becerra emphasized the implications of a Hilton administration aligned with Trump, while Hilton focused on what he described as the failures of Democratic leadership in California.

The candidates clashed over how to address California's high cost of living, which a recent Berkeley IGS-Los Angeles Times poll identified as the top concern among voters.

Becerra criticized Hilton's proposal to eliminate state income taxes on the first $150,000 in earnings, arguing that the plan would also provide tax reductions to higher-income Californians. He compared the proposal with federal tax cuts enacted under Trump.

Hilton argued that Californians need broader tax and regulatory changes and blamed Democrats, who have controlled state government for decades, for the state's high living costs.

Immigration was among the contentious parts of the debate, with the candidates clashing over Hilton's position on Trump's immigration policies and Becerra's record as U.S. health secretary.

Becerra, who would become California's first Latino governor in modern history, pressed Hilton on whether he disagreed with Trump's mass-deportation campaign.

"Here's the problem I have with your policies: You seem to welcome immigrants who look like you, but deport immigrants who look like me," Becerra said, referring to Hilton's British background.

Hilton called the remark "disgraceful" and responded by raising questions about Becerra's record at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including his handling of unaccompanied migrant children.

California has adopted several laws addressing specific AI-related risks, while Gov. Gavin Newsom has also issued executive actions on AI oversight. The candidates were asked how they would approach additional regulation.

Hilton said he would first assess whether California needs more aggressive AI regulation. Becerra connected that position to Trump's approach, saying, "If you listen closely, you can hear Donald Trump in that response by Steve Hilton: He's not interested in regulating AI."

Hilton responded by pointing to donations from Anthropic and OpenAI to Becerra's campaign. Becerra said he supports AI innovation with "firm guardrails around real harms," including protections for children.

Hilton criticized Becerra over his previous assessment of Newsom's handling of homelessness and described the state's situation as an "absolute scandal."

Becerra said he had "demanded accountability" while serving as California attorney general and pledged that, as governor, "We will make sure the encampments are cleared."

The candidates also disagreed over the federal government's role in addressing homelessness and funding for local programs.

Hilton also raised a reported comment attributed to Susan Rice, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, who reportedly referred to Becerra as an "idiot" and "bitch ass" in connection with his leadership at HHS.

Becerra dismissed the remark, saying he was seeking the support of California voters rather than a politician in Washington. Earlier in the debate, Hilton thanked CNN "for bringing Xavier out of hiding," referring to Becerra's limited public campaign appearances since the June primary. Becerra has agreed to only one debate with Hilton.

California's general election is scheduled for Nov. 3. The latest Berkeley IGS poll shows Becerra leading Hilton 58% to 33% among likely voters, although polls measure voter preferences at a particular point in time and do not determine the election result.