LOS ANGELES – California’s crowded field of major gubernatorial candidates battled in a televised debate for the first time Tuesday, exchanging barbs over sanctuary cities and #MeToo issues – and saving some of their toughest blows for the Democratic frontrunner, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom.
The 90-minute program, televised live from San Jose, brought together the top Democrats in the crowded field: Newsom, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, State Treasurer John Chiang and former Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin. But also sharing the stage, just days after state GOP activists refused to endorse either of them, were Republicans John Cox, a wealthy businessman, and populist conservative Assemblyman Travis Allen.
The event provided candidates with a high-profile venue to reach voters statewide in the same week that mail balloting begins for the upcoming June 5 primary. Moderator Chuck Todd of NBC’s “Meet the Press” and a team of California journalists pressed the candidates on issues ranging from the high cost of housing and high speed rail to taxation and pension reform.
Throughout the evening, Democrats appeared to save their toughest words for President Donald Trump, while the Republicans leveled their attacks at Newsom. The former San Francisco mayor went into the program tonight as the undisputed front runner – leading in all the polls and sitting on a nearly $20 million campaign warchest that far surpasses those of the other challengers.
But Newsom confidently stood his ground regarding issues like his past sexual transgressions – which Democrats used to raise the issue of character – and on his backing of sanctuary cities, where Republicans lambasted him as a danger to public safety.
Throughout the evening, Newsom portrayed himself as a leader who would battle Trump on key areas including immigration, the budget, and other governmental priorities, saying that “it’s incumbent upon the next governor to stand up and stand tall” to advance California values “around the nation.”
And he got off one of the best lines of the night when asked if the “top two” primary format would end up with two Democrats in the general election. In a state where Republicans lag in voter registration by more than 15 percentage points, “you know my position, Chuck,” he said to laughs and applause, “a Republican would be ideal.”
Villaraigosa, Newsom’s closest Democratic competitor, succeeded in staking a claim to the number two spot, citing his experience as a chief executive of one of the state’s biggest cities as preparation for the challenge of leading the world’s fifth largest economy.
Cox, who has made five unsuccessful runs for public office in Illinois – including an bid for U.S. Senate – offered himself as the pragmatic businessman who can bring fiscal sanity back to a state which he portrays as broken and failing too many residents.
Allen, the conservative populist legislator, was the only candidate on stage who proudly embraced President Donald Trump – who is widely unpopular in California – and his policies, including building the border wall and cracking down on illegal immigration.
Eastin pounded the issue of education and its importance to the state’s future, while Chiang repeatedly portrayed himself as the most qualified candidate, the one who has held three elective financial offices in California.
On the issue of immigration – and sanctuary cities – both Republicans and Democrats went on the attack, training their fire on Newsom.
Allen raised what has become a mantra for Republicans around the nation – the murder of Kate Steinle, the young San Francisco woman who was shot to death by an undocumented immigrant who had been repeatedly deported. He placed her death at the foot of “Gavin Newsom and California Democrats.”
Newsom forcefully responded it was “offensive to politicize the tragic death” of Steinle, calling it “a complicated issue,” and said Allen’s charge was “shameful.”
Cox called for the building of the border wall, saying that as governor, he also would reverse what he called “Gavin Newsom’s sanctuary state law,” saying it was about “MS-13 and other people who have committed crimes.”
Newsom won cheers when he vowed on the issue of sanctuary cities, “I’m going to push back against John Cox, Travis Allen and Trumpism.”
“Our abillity to live together and oppose together is what makes California great, and I will always stand for those values,” he said. He called for “comprehensive reform at the federal level,” and vowed, “Until that happens, we will defend our immigrants.”
Every Democratic candidate rejected the idea of a compromise to build Trump’s border wall – even one advanced by Democrats to make a deal on DACA students. “The wall is a monument to stupidity,” Newsom said to cheers.
Both Newsom and Villaraigosa have faced attack ads on the #MeToo issue – Newsom for a decades-old affair with a staffer when he was separated from his first wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Villaraigosa for past affairs during his first marriage.
In reponse to a question about the #MeToo issue, Eastin drew cheers when she addressed the matter.
“I do believe that character does matter,” Eastin said. “At the end of the day, it is inappropriate for any boss in any businesses or any government agency to make passes at women that work for them.”
Allen delivered a remark that drew gasps: “If you can’t trust Gavin with his best friend’s wife, why would you trust him with your state?”
But Newsom didn’t flinch, battlling back at Allen that “an avowed supporter of Donald Trump” had no business commenting on such a matter. Of his own past transgressions, he said, “I was honest about it, I was open about it. I apologized for it.”
“I also acknowledged I made a mistake…I lost my marriage,” said Villaragisaoa. “I do believe that character matters…I tried to make amends to my city, who lost some confidence in me.”
But Cox – whose supporters have put up an attack ad on the issue – said, “This about power. Mr. Newsom and Mr. Villaraigosa will have to answer for their moral failings.”
Chiang, whose supporters have also placed attack ads on the issue, agreed “character does matter.”
“We need people to change the culture,” he said. “If you abuse your power and engage in sexual harassment, you are unfit to serve in public office. We need to stand up and say, “Time’s up.”
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