Most people think of California as the home of Hollywood liberals, neglecting to acknowledge its many rural and more conservative areas.
Despite its modern reputation as a Democratic state, the world’s 4th largest economy has actually had more Republican governors. Without a clear Democratic frontrunner for the current election cycle, Republican candidates have an opening.
Tonight, CNN is hosting a California governors debate to give the crowded candidate field a chance to make their case.
Even those outside the state will be tuning in to see what trends might impact the larger midterm Congressional elections later this year. Here’s what you need to know before tuning in.
How does the California gubernatorial election process work?
Since 2012 and Proposition 14, the California governor’s election has utilized an open primary.
This puts all candidates regardless of political party into the same pool. The two candidates with the most votes in the June 2 primary will face off in the November election. This means it is possible to have two Republicans or two Democrats going head to head.
How many candidates are on the ballot?
There are 61 candidates on the ballot for the primary election. Because of the larger number, not all of these can be serious contenders. Some are symbolic and some have even withdrawn.
Former State Controller Betty Yee dropped out due to lack of funding and momentum. Former U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell dropped out amid multiple sexual assault allegations, all of which he denies.
How many candidates are in the debate?
Only seven candidates qualified for the CNN debate. These individuals raised or loaned at least $1 million and or polled with at least 3% support in two qualifying polls.
Voters will get to hear from Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, and Antonio Villaraigosa on the Democratic side.
Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton will represent the Republicans.
Strategies to look out for
It’s a tight race even with the field narrowed down to seven. According to a recent CBS News Poll, 26% of voters remain undecided.
Hilton leads the pack with 16% of support, followed by Steyer at 15%, and Becerra at 13%. After Swalwell’s departure, the Democratic frontrunner position has swayed between Steyer and Becerra.
Because of the crowded field, the Democrats could choose to band together and take on Hilton especially, since President Trump endorsed him in April. A common enemy might be just the ticket to unify the party. Conversely, Democrats could try to stand out from the pack and only look out for themselves.
Candidates will have to tackle hard questions about the high cost of living in California. This is an issue where a candidate could potentially stand out from the pack.
How can I stream the California governor debate?
The action takes place on CNN tonight (Tuesday, May 5) at 9 p.m. ET. It is expected to last two hours. Cord-cutters can utilize a streaming service that carries CNN, such as Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV.