Watch All Shows Victor Davis Hanson Tony Kinnett Daily Signal Signal Sitdown

Watch All Shows Victor Davis Hanson Tony Kinnett Daily Signal Signal Sitdown

Home - Uncategorized - ‘Dismal Failure’ or Passing Grade? Candidates Split on Newsom’s Homelessness Record

‘Dismal Failure’ or Passing Grade? Candidates Split on Newsom’s Homelessness Record

The Golden State boasts as much as 50% of the nation’s homeless population and has spent a whopping $24 billion to address the problem. Six gubernatorial candidates faced-off in a debate Wednesday night and offered A-F grades on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s handling of the issue.

Here’s what they said:

“I’m a notoriously tough grader, but I would probably give him a B on homelessness,” said Democrat Katie Porter, stating her view that the homelessness crisis in California is due to a “housing problem.”

“We’re not going to solve homelessness without bringing down the cost of housing,” she said.

Porter pledged to “fund homelessness prevention,” saying an “interim housing or shelter situation” is the solution. 

“For every person we put into permanent supportive housing, somebody else loses their home and takes their place. That’s why Californians feel like we’re not making progress despite spending significant money,” Porter said.

Candidates were asked to grade Gov. Gavin Newsom’s performance in solving homelessness. Katie Porter gave the governor a B. #CAGovDebate pic.twitter.com/ktnXTiBzqn— KTLA (@KTLA) April 23, 2026

Candidates were asked to grade Gov. Gavin Newsom’s performance in solving homelessness. Katie Porter gave the governor a B. #CAGovDebate pic.twitter.com/ktnXTiBzqn

Xavier Becerra, a Democrat and former U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services, stated Newsom’s efforts have been sincere.

“We’ve seen him come down to Los Angeles — actually go down and try to........

© The Daily Signal