Several leading candidates in California’s 2026 governor’s race said in a CBS Los Angeles debate on April 28 that they oppose suspending the state’s 61.2-cent-per-gallon gasoline excise tax, even as average prices statewide hovered around $5.98 a gallon, according to AAA. Two Republican contenders backed a suspension, while two lower-polling Democrats said they would support temporary relief.
Several prominent Democrats running for California governor said Tuesday night they would not suspend the state’s 61.2-cent-per-gallon gasoline excise tax, arguing that the levy funds transportation and infrastructure needs.
During a debate hosted by CBS Los Angeles at Pomona College in Claremont on April 28, billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer, former Rep. Katie Porter and former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra all signaled opposition to a gas tax suspension.
Becerra said he was “not in favor of cutting the gas tax,” citing the impact on infrastructure funding. In a rapid-fire exchange, Porter answered “no” when asked about suspending the tax. Steyer did not initially give a direct yes-or-no answer but said he wanted a windfall profits tax on oil companies and then confirmed he opposed suspending the gas tax.
California’s statewide average gasoline price was $5.98 a gallon as of Wednesday, according to AAA.
The debate also revisited remarks from a Nexstar Media Group event the previous week, where Becerra and Steyer criticized President Donald Trump over gasoline prices.
“Let’s make sure Donald Trump is not starting reckless wars to keep the prices of gasoline down. By up to $2 a gallon, we could reduce the price if that war in Iraq that Donald Trump started would go away,” Becerra said at the Nexstar debate, a comment that the Daily Wire reported referred to “Operation Epic Fury” in Iran while misspeaking by calling it a war in Iraq.
At the same Nexstar event, Steyer said Trump had “started an insane war in Iran” and claimed it had “put $70 billion into the pockets of the oil companies.” Those claims could not be independently verified from the debate coverage reviewed.
On the Republican side, Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said they supported suspending the gas tax.
Two Democrats who have been polling behind the top tier also endorsed tax relief. San José Mayor Matt Mahan said he would “suspend then reform the gas tax,” calling it “the most regressive tax in California.” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said he would support a suspension.
The June 2, 2026, primary has been reshaped in recent weeks after Rep. Eric Swalwell, who had been viewed as a leading Democratic contender, suspended his campaign on April 12 amid sexual assault and misconduct allegations and then announced on April 13 that he planned to resign from Congress.
Newsom has not endorsed a candidate in the race, while Hilton has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Polling has shown a tight contest. A February Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey had Hilton leading at 17%, with Bianco next at 12%, followed by Becerra at 11%, Porter at 10% and Steyer at 9%. A separate CBS News/YouGov poll released on April 27 put Hilton at 16%, followed by Steyer at 15% and Becerra at 13%.
