Former Democratic congressman Eric Swalwell, who had previously led a field of Democrats in the California gubernatorial race amid sexual misconduct allegations, was still at the center of the first debate since his departure. The debate, which included questions about his former colleague, Xavier Becerra, who served as President Joe Biden's health and human services secretary, was particularly focused on the scandal. The focus of the debate was largely on cost-of-living issues, with Democrats blaming higher gas taxes and cost of living struggles on a Trump presidency. Meanwhile, Republicans, Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, blamed the Democrats for taxing and regulating the state’s residents into oblivion. New polling shows that 13% of likely voters now support Becerara, a significant increase from the 4% he stood before Swallwell's departure.