The two Republican candidates running for California governor had an awkward moment after moderatorKaitlan Collinsposed a question about one calling the other a “swindler.”
“I saw the two of you chatting earlier,” Collins said, referring to Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton, asking the former about “some harsh words” he had said about the latter.
“You’ve called him ‘unethical and dishonest’ and said that he is trying to ‘manipulate’ Californians and ‘swindled his way into the Republican side,’” Collins said, asking Bianco if he was telling Republican voters not to trust Hilton.
The 59-year-old sheriff froze before falling short of completely denying or even acknowledging the comments he made.
“I don’t know where that came from,” he said during the debate. “I don’t think I’ve used the word ‘swindle,’ so I don’t know if you were quoting something or if you were saying that.”
Collins turned up the pressure by reading the full quote from an article earlier in April that appeared inThe Atlantic, which was based on an interview withKBAK-KBFX Eyewitness News, a Bakersfield station.
“I’ve never used the word ‘swindle,’” Bianco insisted.
A recentsurvey conducted by EVITARUSshowed Hilton tied with a Democrat for first place at 18 percent. Bianco followed in second with 14 percent.
The two candidates have split the Republican voter base, dividing support within the party. About 25 percent of the state’s registered voters are Republican, meaning roughly one in four Californians could potentially vote for either Bianco or Hilton.
Bianco attempted to change the topic by talking about disagreements with Hilton.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
