"It was admittedly kind of exciting that there was a debate for the governor's race in San Francisco last night at the Bayview Opera House, though despite co-host KTVU's claim that it was California's first statewide gubernatorial debate of the year, their of the year qualifier avoids the reality that there have already been two debates. And major candidates Eric Swallwell and Katie Porter were not there, with Swalwell's absence being described by moderators as a conflict due to "ongoing votes in Washington DC. The whole debate can be seen below, though the actual debating does not begin until the five-minute mark. The bottom line is that nobody won, nobody lost, and none stood out in a debate that hardly anyone watched."
"No surprisingly, the most prominent exchanges were on the currently controversial topics of the proposed California billionaire tax, and the ever-more violent ICE raids and operations sweeping the country. Billionaire perma-candidate Tom Steyer came right out and declared that ICE should be abolished," while former State Controller Betty Yee took the more poll-tested lines that we should build economic power in our immigrant communities, and lean into being a sanctuary state. State schools superintendent Tony Thurmond took the hardest line supporting immigrants, saying, "When I am governor, I will restore universal healthcare for all, including undocumented immigrants in the state of California, because we know that healthcare is a right. Steyer, himself a billionaire, went to bat in favor of the proposed billionaire tax. Right now the big tech CEOs are terrified about the idea of paying their fair share. Right now they're supporting [San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan], that's where they are, Steyer said."
Seven candidates for California governor participated in a debate at the Bayview Opera House in San Francisco. Major contenders Eric Swalwell and Katie Porter did not attend, with Swalwell's absence attributed to ongoing votes in Washington, DC. The debate began in earnest after a five-minute stretch and attracted minimal viewership during Super Bowl lead-up. Candidates avoided standout moments and failed to distinguish themselves. The most prominent exchanges focused on a proposed billionaire tax and recent ICE raids. Tom Steyer called for abolishing ICE and supported the billionaire tax. Betty Yee advocated building economic power in immigrant communities and expanding sanctuary protections. Tony Thurmond pledged universal healthcare for all, including undocumented immigrants.
Read at sfist.com
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