Xavier Becerra pulled out of a debate he had already agreed to, and his Republican rival isn’t letting it go quietly.
Quick Take
- Steve Hilton says Democrat Xavier Becerra backed out of a planned Los Angeles Times debate days before it was set to happen.
- The pullout follows their one televised debate on September 30, where polls later showed a big swing toward Hilton.
- Reality star Spencer Pratt publicly blasted Becerra’s move, calling it a “b*tch move” in comments that spread online.
- Becerra’s campaign insists he never refused to debate, pointing to past promises to appear on stage with Hilton.
A Second Debate Falls Apart Days Before Showtime
Steve Hilton announced that Xavier Becerra pulled out of a scheduled Los Angeles Times debate just one day before it was set to happen. The Los Angeles Times had planned to co-host the event as a follow-up to the candidates’ first and only televised matchup in late September. Hilton did not hold back, posting that Becerra “PULLS OUT of tomorrow’s LA Times debate,” framing the cancellation as a dodge from a candidate trying to protect a shrinking lead.
The timing matters. Becerra’s campaign had spent weeks insisting he was committed to multiple debates, even naming early August as a date he agreed to appear. Hilton’s campaign claims Becerra has now dodged at least eight invitations since that promise was made, turning what should be routine campaign business into a running storyline about avoidance.
The First Debate Left Becerra on Shaky Ground
The two men finally met on stage September 30 in Burbank for what both sides called their only scheduled face-off, moderated by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. The hour-long clash covered homelessness, taxes, immigration and the cost of living, with both candidates trading sharp accusations rather than detailed policy answers. Hilton opened by mocking Becerra’s limited public appearances, thanking CNN for “bringing Xavier out of hiding”.
Coverage after the debate noted Becerra leaned heavily on attacking President Trump rather than defending his own record, a pattern multiple outlets flagged as a weak spot. Polling shifts following that debate reportedly favored Hilton, giving Republicans a rare jolt of momentum in a state that hasn’t elected a GOP governor in decades. That shift is likely what made a second debate feel far riskier for Becerra’s team.
Spencer Pratt Adds a Blunt Voice to the Fight
Reality television personality Spencer Pratt weighed in publicly, slamming Becerra’s withdrawal in blunt terms, calling it a “b*tch move” in comments that quickly circulated across social media. Pratt’s comment captured a growing frustration among voters who feel candidates increasingly treat debates as optional rather than a basic obligation to the public. For a race this close, skipping a stage in front of millions sends its own message, regardless of the scheduling excuse offered.
Becerra’s Campaign Pushes Back on the “Dodging” Label
Becerra’s team disputes the framing entirely. Spokesperson Jonathan Underland called the “refusing to debate” accusation “simply inaccurate,” insisting Becerra committed to multiple debates, including one dating back to early August. Underland has also explained past no-shows at Capitol events as scheduling conflicts, once citing a rural health care clinic visit in Madera as the reason Becerra left early rather than face reporters.
Becerra is far from alone in sidestepping debate stages this cycle. Reporting this fall found several governors and senators skipping debates altogether, with analysts pointing to shrinking local-TV audiences and campaigns favoring message control over unscripted risk. Arizona’s Katie Hobbs and Virginia Senator Mark Warner faced similar criticism for avoiding face-offs, suggesting this is less an isolated incident than a broader trend reshaping how campaigns operate nationwide.
Whatever the excuse, the optics work against Becerra. Voters in a high-stakes governor’s race deserve a direct comparison between the two men asking for their vote, not a string of rescheduled dates and spokesperson statements. Hilton’s team clearly sees opportunity in that gap, and Becerra’s refusal to stand on stage again only adds fuel to the charge that he’s running out the clock rather than making his case.
Sources:
thegatewaypundit.com, californiaglobe.com, nytimes.com, cnn.com, latimes.com, calmatters.org, thehill.com, jonathanturley.org, muse.jhu.edu
