Sparring on the debate stage, well-timed statements addressing the slightest misstep by an opponent and countless social media jabs: election season is heating up in California’s major primaries.

With the primary election less than three weeks away, the gubernatorial and mayoral races have taken a fiery turn as candidates undergo last-ditch efforts to convince voters of their governance chops.

The governor’s race, which was thrown for a loop after Democratic frontrunner Eric Swalwell ’s bid sank under a groundswell of sexual assault allegations – which he has denied – remains a crowded contest.

Now, the latest polls indicate that Xavier Becerra, the former US secretary of health and human services, is in the lead, followed by Steve Hilton, a Trump-backed conservative media pundit, and billionaire philanthropist Tom Steyer.

Among the other high-profile governor hopefuls are Riverside county sheriff Chad Bianco, former US representative Katie Porter and San Jose mayor Matt Mahan.

In Los Angeles, the…