Seven hopefuls vied for California’s top post Thursday in San Francisco’s Julia Morgan Ballroom, marking what appears to be the final televised showdown before the June 2 primary. With only 19 days left and a mere 3 percent of ballots cast, voters face a crowded field that includes Democratic front‑runner Xavier Becerra and former congresswoman Katie Porter, and a record‑breaking fundraising haul.

The debate spiraled around cost‑of‑living pressures, climate policy and a fresh corruption scandal involving Becerra’s former aides, who allegedly skimmed $225,000 from a campaign account. A guilty plea by his ex‑campaign strategist gave opponents ammunition; Republican Steve Hilton urged Becerra to “prepare your criminal defense,” while Porter pressed the front‑runner on revenue plans, demanding concrete tax‑code changes and raised questions about potential DOJ interference.

Temperamental exchanges defined the night: Porter wielded a whiteboard to grill Becerra on budget details, while the two Republicans, Hilton and Chad Bianco, blamed Democratic policies for the state’s affordability woes. No knockout punch landed, but the relentless focus on legal clouds and fiscal vagueness gives donors and advertisers a clearer gauge of each candidate’s electability as the state’s $500 billion economy hangs in the balance.