California Governor Candidates Discuss Agriculture, Affordability at Fresno State Forum

Six candidates for California governor debated policies on vehicle registration fees, water allocations, and undocumented workers.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:03am

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Six candidates running for California governor gathered at Fresno State University for a roundtable discussion on agriculture, affordability, and other key issues facing the state. The candidates, including Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco and Democrats Xavier Becerra, Antonio Villaraigosa, Matt Mahan, and Katie Porter, spoke about topics like reducing vehicle registration costs, managing water allocations, and immigration policies for undocumented farmworkers.

Why it matters

The forum provided an opportunity for the gubernatorial candidates to directly address the concerns of voters in California's Central Valley, a traditionally conservative-leaning region that will be crucial in the upcoming election. The discussion highlighted the candidates' differing approaches to issues like affordability, agriculture, and immigration that are top priorities for many Californians.

The details

During the roundtable, the candidates shared their policy proposals and visions for the state. Republican Steve Hilton pledged to reduce vehicle registration fees to a flat $71 per person per vehicle, while Democrat Xavier Becerra discussed the need for a comprehensive water policy to address the needs of the state's growing population and agricultural industry. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa called for a guest worker program to support undocumented farmworkers, a topic that was notably absent from the initial discussion.

  • The forum was held on April 2, 2026 at Fresno State University.
  • The California gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 2026.

The players

Steve Hilton

A Republican businessman who is running for California governor. He pledged to reduce vehicle registration fees if elected.

Xavier Becerra

A Democratic former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary who is running for California governor. He discussed the need for a comprehensive water policy for the state.

Antonio Villaraigosa

A Democratic former Mayor of Los Angeles who is running for California governor. He called for a guest worker program to support undocumented farmworkers.

Matt Mahan

A Democratic San Jose Mayor who is running for California governor. He positioned himself as a pragmatic problem-solver who can work across the aisle.

Katie Porter

A Democratic former U.S. Congresswoman from Orange County who is running for California governor. She touted her bipartisan track record in Congress.

Chad Bianco

A Republican Riverside County Sheriff who is running for California governor. He emphasized his integrity and ability to get things done.

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What they’re saying

“So we're going to end the insane cost of vehicle registration in California. We're going to cut all the extra taxes and fees so your vehicle registration is a flat fee of $71 per person per vehicle.”

— Steve Hilton, Businessman and Republican Candidate

“When you have 40 million people, and you have the bread basket of the world, and now you have AI industries coming in, and you have AI industries coming in you have to have a policy.”

— Xavier Becerra, Democratic Candidate

“We should have a guest worker program, along the lines of Canada, that allows these people to work here, go back, and pay them a decent wage.”

— Antonio Villaraigosa, Democratic Candidate

“I'm a pragmatist, I like to solve problems, I got into this race because I felt like the options were polarized and partisan.”

— Matt Mahan, Democratic Candidate

“Everything about me is true, not one thing about me is changed, I don't lie for a vote, I will never compromise my integrity for a vote.”

— Chad Bianco, Republican Candidate

What’s next

The candidates will continue campaigning across California ahead of the November 2026 gubernatorial election. Voters in the Central Valley will be a key voting bloc that the candidates will need to win over.

The takeaway

The Fresno State forum highlighted the diverse policy approaches and political backgrounds of the California gubernatorial candidates, underscoring the importance of the Central Valley region in the upcoming election. Voters in this traditionally conservative area will play a pivotal role in determining the next governor of the state.