Becerra, Hilton give preview for reshaped California governor's race in dueling L.A. speeches

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Set us as preferred In separate speeches delivered a few hours apart, California’s two gubernatorial hopefuls stuck to familiar themes — offering a preview of the issues that could define the November election to succeed Gov.Gavin Newsom.Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, sought to tie Republican rival Steve Hilton to President Trump during his remarks Wednesday at the National Assn.

of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials conference in downtown L.A.Hilton focused on his immigrant roots and how to help small businesses in California, and ignored Becerra’s attacks.Their appearances at the conference marked one of the first times both candidates have appeared at the same event since the June 2 primary.Becerra, the former U.S.Health and Human Services secretary and former California attorney general, placed first in the primary, winning 28% of the vote.

Hilton, a former Fox News commentator, followed with 24.6%.Republicans make up only a quarter of registered voters in the state, so Hilton may face an uphill battle to victory in November.Democrats, including Newsom, have sought attention by attacking Trump and defending California policies, and Becerra appeared to lean into that approach on Wednesday.California California’s next governor will face tough decisions on a highly controversial piece of healthcare policy: what to do about health coverage for the more than 1.4 million low-income residents without legal status.Without mentioning Hilton or Trump by name, Becerra labeled the president a “false” prophet during his 10-minute address.“We don’t need people who make a promise to end a war in one day, and today, we still fight it and others,” said Becerra, referring to the ongoing U.S.

attacks on Iran.“We don’t need someone who said they will lower the price of gasoline and then raise it by starting a reckle...