California voters will see gubernatorial candidates Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton face off Wednesday night in the first debate of the general election season. The debate follows a crowded primary race for the seat currently held by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is termed out. Former California Atto rney General and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and businessman and Fox News contributor Steve Hilton emerged as the final two candidates with more than 40% of the vote in the primary. Ahead of the debate, Hilton spoke with NBC Bay Area’s Raj Mathai about his campaign. “Daily life is too expensive, and that’s the heart of my campaign,” Hilton said. “Your first $150,000 tax-free, $3 gas, lower tax, cheaper gas, if you want a simple summary. These practical things, reduce housing costs.” Hilton also said one party has been running California for 16 years, adding that he believes “that’s never healthy.” Becerra, who also served as Health and Human Services secretary under the Biden administration, spoke about his candidacy during an April interview with NBC Bay Area’s sister station KNBC in Los Angeles. “I’m not a candidate who’s running on inflated promises. I’m a candidate running on my record,” Becerra said. “I’ve been there, I’ve done that.” NBC Bay Area’s Ginger Conejero Saab has the full report in the vide above. ...read more read less