Gubernatorial candidates John Cox and Gavin Newsom finally sat down for a long awaited one-on-one matchup.
The two faced off inside the KQED studio in San Francisco Monday morning for what was advertised as a "wide-ranging conversation" rather than a formal political debate.
In the start of the one-hour forum, Cox was quick to point out the problems with homelessness and poverty in California saying it all happened on the watch of Democrats, who control the governor's office.
“Gavin has been part of a political class that has led this state downward,” Cox said on the radio forum. “I have a vision of this state being affordable and livable. I think we can do that if we get rid of the special interest influence in Sacramento.”
Newsom retaliated by criticizing Cox for "being out of step with most Californians on gun control, abortion rights and climate change," and brought up Cox' comments from 2007 where he said the push for LGBTQ rights would "open the floodgates to polygamy and bestiality."
In response to Newsom, Cox stated he has "evolved" on the issue, and accused Newsom of dredging the old comments up to "deflect from addressing other state policy matters."
The rival candidates then went on to debate over the sanctuary law with Cox saying he would like to get rid of it while Newsom called President Trump's proposed wall on the U.S. and Mexico border a "monument to stupidity."
Radio host Scott Shafer ended the short forum noting that there wasn't enough time to ask the candidates questions about the many other pressing issues in the state, including water, pension reform and education.
Cox mentioned he would take part in another debate with Newsom.
“I’ve agreed to five of these and I can’t get my young friend to do that,” he said.
There is about four weeks left till the election and according to recent polls, it could be a close one.
Listen to what Cox had to say to John and Ken about the "debate" with Newsom below.