By Maribel Velazquez
The six candidates leading the polls to govern the state of California participated in a debate that could help mark a leader in the racebecause there is a kind of technical tie on voter support.
Republicans participated in the debate Steve Hilton and Chad Biancoas well as the Democrats Tom Steyer, Xavier Becerra, Katie Porter and Matt Mahanconsidered by polls to be the main contenders, in a 90-minute meeting marked by ideological clashes and moments of direct confrontation.
Housing and homeless people, the central issue
One of the most debated axes was housing crisis and the rise of homelessness. The proposals varied from expanding housing construction to toughening measures. Katie Porter directly linked the problem to the high cost of real estatewhile Matt Mahan defended local models applied in San José.
For its part, Becerra opted to prevent evictions and keep people in their homes: “It costs me more to pick you up from the street than to help you keep your home,” he said. In contrast, the Republican Steve Hilton proposed stricter measureseven criminalizing certain behaviors related to homelessness.
