The California governor’s race is heating up since current Democrat Gavin Newsom is term-limited out and former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced in August her intent not to run. So far, radical leftist Katie Porter leads the Democratic field, which includes former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. Republican Steve Hilton holds GOP dibs and a narrow lead over Porter in recent polls.
Hilton is one of more than a dozen conservative hopefuls who will face off in a debate on November 8 in San Marcos. Attendees at the Take Your Power Back California Governor Showdown will be able to submit questions for the candidates after meeting them in person at a black-tie reception and dinner.
Independent journalist Lara Logan and election expert Dr. Douglas Frank are among the moderators, and General Michael Flynn will deliver a special address remotely. Those involved in planning the event told The New American that One America News and CNN are among the media outlets which plan to cover the debate.
Host Kim Yeater of the Take Your Power Back podcast will also livestream the event on her social media channels.
“California is grappling with soaring crime, economic hardship and policies that burden families, farmers and all citizens, threatening our shared future and freedoms,” she states in a press release. “This transformative event will ignite a movement for California’s future.”
Conservative Hopefuls
Hilton hopes to lead that movement. A native of Great Britain, he became a U.S. citizen in 2021 and is a former Fox News host. Republicans who will debate him include real estate agent Jim Athans, South Korean native Ché Ahn, nuclear engineer Gretha Solorzano, Marine combat veteran David Serpa, former congressional candidate Daniel Mercuri, veteran police officer and podcaster Ryan Tillman, fifth-generation farmer David Collenberg, former farmer Leo Zacky, military veteran Leo Naranjo, and private business owner Coby J. Marcum.
Independent conservatives slated to participate include filmmaker and J6er Lewis Herms, and Scott Shields, a private entrepreneur.
Early bird tickets for the Showdown are still available at TakeOurCaliforniaBack.com.
California’s primary election is in June. Unlike other states that hold partisan primaries, California picks the top two winners of its preliminary election regardless of party, and pits them against each other in its general election, which will take place on November 3, 2026. If a Republican wins, it will be the first time in 20 years that the GOP has gained a statewide office.
