Steve Hilton's Republican gubernatorial campaign has launched an attack website branding Xavier Becerra, his Democratic opponent, as "Bitch-ass Becerra." The site uses criticisms from former colleagues within the Biden administration to question Becerra’s qualifications for governor. It also accuses him of weakening safeguards for migrant children and contributing to higher costs for Californians. Hilton claims that Becerra lacks the mental acuity needed to serve as governor, while Becerra's team dismisses these allegations as jealousy and fabrication.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-01,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In the heated race to become California's next governor, Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton faced off in a CNN debate on October 18th, where tensions ran high over tax policies, immigration, and government inefficiency. Becerra, the former attorney general and Biden administration official, was accused by Hilton, a Republican outsider endorsed by Donald Trump, of avoiding media scrutiny and failing to address key issues such as housing affordability and red tape reduction in his campaign promises. Hilton brought up a contentious nickname for Becerra coined within the Biden administration, further attacking his leadership record. During the debate, Hilton pushed Becerra on specific policy actions, challenging him with questions about cutting red tape for housing and AI regulation. Despite criticisms from both sides, Becerra maintained a significant lead in polls but faced increasing pressure to clarify his policies and confrontative debates with Hilton.
Written for “California Governor Debate Clash” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 9 other(s) covering the same event.
Xavier Becerra probably hates his new nickname, which is why Steve Hilton is hoping it sticks.
asserted
it → hat → nickname
Hilton’s campaign turned a reported White House insult from 2024 into a campaign attack ahead of Wednesday night’s CNN debate, as the Republican gubernatorial candidate created a website branding his Democratic opponent “Bitch–ass Becerra.”
Former White House adviser Susan Rice dissed Becerra with the moniker during their time working in the Biden administration.
asserted
Rice → turn → administration
The new website attacks Becerra’s leadership as California attorney general and US health secretary, drawing heavily on reported criticism from Democrats who worked alongside him.
asserted
who → attack → him
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“I do not think he is qualified to be the governor,” Becerra’s ex-colleague told The Post.
asserted
colleague → sign → Post
“I don’t think he’s qualified to be the boss of anything.”
asserted
he → think → anything
Becerra was alo described as having “dead-fish eyes” during an emotional meeting about migrant children in crowded detention facilities.
asserted
Becerra → describe → facilities
Nothing there,” the official said.
asserted
official → say → ?
Becerra’s campaign called the allegation about his remarks on migrant children “an outright fabrication,” and spokesperson Jonathan Underland dismissed former colleagues’ criticism as “jealousy.”
asserted
Underland → call → jealousy
Hilton’s website depicts Becerra wearing a jacket plastered with corporate and union logos, including Chevron, Pacific Gas & Electric and the California Teachers Association.
asserted
Becerra → depict → Chevron
Higher costs for you,” the site says.
asserted
site → say → you
“Empty Suit Becerra stood by and did nothing.
asserted
Becerra → stand → nothing
He enabled it all.”
asserted
He → enable → it
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In a previous interview, Hilton told The Post that Becerra lacked the mental acuity to serve as governor.
asserted
Becerra → download → governor
“California needs to wake up before it’s too late and we put the world’s fourth largest economy in the hands of a complete idiot,” Hilton said.
asserted
Hilton → need → idiot
“That’s not my word for him — that’s the word of people who worked side by side with him for years.”
asserted
who → ’ → years
Sections accuse him of weakening safeguards for migrant children, presiding over fraud and contributing to higher gas and electricity bills.
asserted
Sections → accuse → bills
One heading declares: “Even Democrats ripped Becerra.”
asserted
Democrats → declare → Becerra
Among them is former Biden administration official Xochitl Hinojosa, whose criticism during a CNN appearance in May stunned other Democrats.
uncertain
criticism → stun → Democrats
“I don’t think that he will be able to stand up to Trump and lead,” Hinojosa said.
asserted
Hinojosa → think → Trump
“He was not effective in governing.
asserted
He → govern → governing
And if you ask any cabinet secretary, they would tell you the same thing.”
asserted
they → ask → thing
Axios reported in 2024 that Rice called Becerra “bitch-ass” and “idiot.”A
asserted
Rice → report → Becerra
spokesperson for Rice ‘categorically’ denied the reporting about her relationship with Becerra and Vice President Kamala Harris.
asserted
spokesperson → deny → Becerra
The Post’s most recent report quoted an ex-Biden official saying Rice berated Becerra during meetings about the migrant crisis “at least once a week.”
asserted
Rice → quote → crisis
Becerra, who is seeking to follow in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s lofty fundraising footsteps, left open the door to accept money from Purdue Pharma, which he had sued over its role in the opioid crisis, saying he believed in “redemption” for companies.
asserted
he → seek → companies
Garrow repeatedly used the name “David” when talking about San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, echoing an error on Becerra’s endorsement page.
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Garrow → use → page
Becerra did not correct her.
asserted
Becerra → correct → her
“What’s your relationship like with David?” she asked.
asserted
she → ’ → David
“Growing,” Becerra replied, without correcting the name.
asserted
Becerra → grow → name
“He’s done a number of important things, amazing things.”
asserted
He → do → things
Becerra held a substantial lead heading into the campaign’s only debate, with a recent PPIC poll having him at 60% to Hilton’s 38%.
asserted
poll → hold → %
But a few stumbles on the CNN debate stage and Hilton is betting the nickname will outlast tonight’s debate.
asserted
nickname → bet → debate
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