Candidates for California governor tangle in testy debate with mail voting already underway

LOS ANGELES -- Seven candidates who want to be California's next governor kicked off their latest debate Tuesday with sharp attacks on each other on issues from gas prices and taxes to immigration in a race that has no clear leader.

The televised debate came as mail voting was already underway in advance of a primary election that ends June 2. It was clear from the testy tone that candidates viewed the matchup as a critical juncture, with a national audience watching as it aired on CNN.

The early minutes of the debate were anchored to the punishing cost of living in California and, in particular, gas prices, underscoring deep divides among the candidates on why California prices are so high and how to bring them down. The average gas price topped $6 per gallon in California on Tuesday, according to AAA.

Several Democrats on stage, including former state attorney general Xavier Becerra, said President Donald Trump and the war in Iran are to blame for rapidly rising costs at the pump. Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco swiftly pushed back, noting gas has long been much more expensive in California compared to other states.

When Republican Steve Hilton said he could reduce gas prices to $3 a gallon, Democrat Matt Mahan fired back, "You're lying to people."

"Donald Trump is the president in all the other states in America where the cost of living is way lower than in California," responded Hilton, who has Trump's endorsement.

"Boys, boys, enough with the bickering," former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, the only woman on stage, interjected at one point.

It is the first time in a generation that California has a wide-open contest for the heavily Democratic state's highest office. More than 50 names are on the ballot. Candidates hoping to replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom were jostling in hopes of gaining a breakout moment.

Candidates who qualified for the debate include the two leading Republicans, conservative commentator Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Bianco, and five Democrats - Becerra, Porter,billionaire Tom Steyer, Mahan and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Trump received frequent mention during the debate, with the Democrats seemingly divided on how often to invoke his name.

"Yes, I'm going to repeat Donald Trump as often as I have to because he's the real menace that we have in California," Becerra said.

"Donald Trump sucks," Porter said bluntly.

The candidates sparred over tax policy, with only Steyer saying he supports a one-time tax on billionaires that's likely to be on the ballot this November. He said it wasn't the only tax increase he'd seek. Porter, meanwhile, said the tax was too narrow and wouldn't make a real change. Mahan said his fellow Democrats have focused too much on expanding government rather than making it work better.

The contest in the nation's most populous state is unfolding as California struggles with a long-running homeless crisis, wildfire insurance shortages, projected budget shortfalls and staggering housing costs. Voters, meanwhile, are saddled with growing everyday bills for groceries, utilities and gas.

Republicans have been faulting the state's dominant Democrats for the raft of challenges, including heavy taxes and regulation that has been driving out jobs.

Steyer - a hedge fund manager turned liberal activist - has tapped his personal fortune to finance a torrent of advertising but has not broken away from the field. Data compiled by advertising tracker AdImpact show Steyer has spent or booked nearly $150 million in ads for broadcast TV, cable and radio, dwarfing his competitors.

California puts all candidates on a single ballot and the two with the most votes go on to the November general election, regardless of party. Democrats have worried that their crowded field could result in two Republicans advancing, which would be a historic calamity for the party.

The GOP has not won a statewide election in California in two decades, and registered Democrats outnumber Republicans about 2-to-1 statewide.
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Austin reported from Sacramento, California.