An online spot for Mr. Hilton, the G.O.P. candidate, is full of sexual innuendo that has befuddled Republicans and Democrats watching the race for governor in California.

© Gabriela Bhaskar/The New York Times

Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, and Steve Hilton, a Republican, sparred over President Trump, taxes and immigration in their only scheduled meeting.

© CNN

© Gabriela Bhaskar/The New York Times

Unaffiliated voters leaned heavily toward Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, in a recent poll, pushing him to his largest lead of this election cycle.

© Mark Abramson for The New York Times

Xavier Becerra, a Democrat who served in the Biden administration, will debate Steve Hilton, a Republican former talk show host, in what’s likely to be their only face-off before the election.

© Gabriela Bhaskar/The New York Times