Photo: Alamy
CBS hosted the California gubernatorial debate at Pomona College Tuesday night, delivering breakout moments for two popular, outspoken conservative candidates.
Despite the mainstream outlet’s questionable moderators who talked over conservative candidates and even argued with them about political policies, Trump-backed Candidate Steve Hilton and California GOP pick Sheriff Chad Bianco both delivered strong performances.
Hilton was endorsed by President Donald Trump earlier this month. The 47th president praised Hilton for his respectability in a Truth Social post, stating, “He is a truly fine man, one who has watched as this once great State has gone to Hell.” He pointed out the failures of the current liberal leadership and added, “Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so! With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before! Steve Hilton has my complete & total endorsement.”
Hilton struck hard on affordability during the debate, a topic that matters to California voters who pay the highest taxes in the nation, per TurboTax. “We pay the highest gas tax and have the worst roads in America,” he stated. He called out moderators and candidates who focused on blaming Trump for everything, stating, “We’ve had the same people in charge for 16 years now, and because it’s such a disaster and such a high cost of living for everyone, and the highest poverty rate in the country and the highest unemployment rate, and the worst business plan, all these things going wrong, they can’t do anything except blame Trump.”
This is the problem with California politics! 16 years of one-party-rule has lead to failure after failure, and all the Democrats do is blame Trump. pic.twitter.com/nUzGydLPdV
— Steve Hilton (@SteveHiltonx) April 29, 2026
Hilton then laid out his plan to make the state “Califordable.” This includes cutting electricity bills, lowering gas taxes, and changing tax brackets to allow the first $ 100,000 of income to be untaxed. He also proposed addressing homelessness by expanding healthcare services and enforcing written laws.
Sheriff Chad Bianco also offered some of the most memorable moments. Bianco has received the most Republican support, per Politico, in a close race, with his aggressive campaign to take back the state from failed leftist policies.
“If you want Socialism, go somewhere else”
— 🇺🇸SuperBasedInCali🇺🇸 (@SuperBasedInCa) April 29, 2026
I agree. No more lying to our future leaders.
Vote for the Sheriff, @ChadBianco, if you want REAL Change! pic.twitter.com/2tMBIPhukp
During last night’s debate, he called out the connection between failed housing, medical, and energy policies. “Regulation in this state is destroying our ability to live here.” He explained that by overtaxing and underserving in all of these areas and more, residents are suffering. He decried “The waste, fraud, the abuse of our money in California,” and proposed cutting funding for failed programs that have driven residents and companies out of the state. He proposed instead removing unnecessary regulations and taxes while promoting programs that promote balanced economic certainty. “If you want socialism, go somewhere else,” he declared.
Joel Pollak of the New York Post gave both Bianco and Hilton top rankings on their responses. According to the New York Times California poll tracker, Hilton is now ahead in six polls, displaying a clear lead.
