Seven top candidates vying to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom squared off in a contentious CNN debate Tuesday night at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park, where interruptions and sharp personal barbs dominated the two-hour event.

The participants included Democrats Katie Porter, a former U.S. representative; Xavier Becerra, former state attorney general and U.S. health secretary; billionaire Tom Steyer; San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan; and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Republicans on stage were Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and Trump-endorsed commentator Steve Hilton.

Tensions escalated early when Porter interjected, "Boys, enough with the bickering," amid arguments among the male candidates. She later defended her own temperament against past criticisms of videos showing her berating a staffer, stating, "I can’t believe that on a stage with 30 minutes of interrupting and bickering and name-calling and shouting and disrespect … that anyone wants to talk about my temperament."

Becerra faced the brunt of attacks, including over a federal indictment of his former chief of staff for stealing campaign funds, though he was not charged. Hilton accused him of being "mired, personally, in a corruption scandal," to which Becerra replied, "If I had been involved, the U.S. attorney would have had me in that indictment." Porter called his response to single-payer healthcare "disqualifying."

Republicans hammered Democrats for California's high gas prices exceeding $6 a gallon, unemployment, housing costs, and homelessness under prolonged one-party rule. Bianco criticized sanctuary policies, saying undocumented immigrants who commit crimes should go to jail. Hilton pledged to cut gas to $3 a gallon and investigate Becerra if elected.

Immigration sparked further clashes. Villaraigosa accused Bianco of past Oath Keepers ties, prompting Bianco to defend the group's oath but note he is no longer involved. Steyer called for criminally charging federal ICE agents breaking state laws, while Porter stressed protecting all Californians.

On taxes, opinions split. Mahan proposed suspending the gas tax, Steyer backed a billionaire tax measure but said it fell short, and Porter deemed it poor policy. Democrats repeatedly invoked President Donald Trump as a threat, with Becerra saying, "Donald Trump is the real menace that we have in California," and Porter adding, "Donald Trump sucks."

The June 2 primary is less than a month away, with mail ballots already being mailed. Recent polls show Becerra and Hilton tied at 18%, with 14% undecided in the wide-open race. California's top-two system advances the two highest vote-getters regardless of party to November.