California voters have three weeks to get their popcorn ready.
Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton will finally square off on the debate stage after weeks of sniping over whether the Dem frontrunner was ducking his GOP rival.
Hilton announced early Tuesday that he and Becerra will debate Sept. 30 on CNN, ending a monthslong standoff that had become a growing point of contention in the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.
California voters will receive mail ballots shortly after the debate, with an Oct. 5 deadline for counties to send those ballots.
“After months in hiding, Becerra’s agreed to debate,” Hilton wrote on X. “I wonder what changed…”
He added, “Hilton vs. Becerra: September 30 on CNN.”
The Los Angeles Times was first to report the debate, which will be moderated by the CNN anchors Dana Bash and Jake Tapper.
Becerra’s campaign told The California Post last week that an announcement would be coming soon on debate dates, and officials slammed Hilton, a US citizen who is originally from England, in a statement Tuesday.
“If debates reward substance, it’s going to be a rough night for [President] Trump’s lapdog — an empty British blazer running on fantasies and cable-news catchphrases,” Jonathan Underland, a spokesperson for the Becerra campaign, wrote in a text message. “At least he’ll be wearing shoes.”
The announcement comes just days after Hilton blasted Becerra in an interview with The Post for failing to agree to at least eight debate invitations that the Republican said had been extended to the two candidates.
“He can’t have a scheduling conflict for everything,” Hilton told The Post last week.
Hilton, a former Fox News host, seized on Becerra’s relatively low-key campaign since the June primary, accusing the former Biden administration health secretary of trying to coast to victory in heavily Democratic California.
“It’s exactly what you expect from a 36-year career politician who has failed at every job he’s had,” Hilton said. “Now we know why when he was in the Biden cabinet, [former US ambassador to the United Nations] Susan Rice called him ‘bitch-ass Becerra.’”
Hilton added, “This guy is either asleep, gone on vacation or is absolutely terrified of answering any questions. Either way, it is treating Californians with complete contempt.”
Becerra’s campaign has pushed back against the accusation that he was refusing to debate.
“The characterization that he is ‘refusing’ to debate is simply inaccurate. Secretary Becerra has committed multiple times to debates, including on Aug. 5,” Underland told The Post last week, referencing the day Becerra ducked reporters while leaving early from a Capitol press conference.
The Sept. 30 debate showdown appears likely to be the one and only gubernatorial debate, as mail-in ballots will go out to voters within days of the CNN standoff.
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