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That this year’s governor’s race will only feature one debate during the general election (there was a handful before the June primary) is unusual by historical standards. But it likely represents the new normal. As the LA Times reported yesterday, no race for governor or U.S. Senate has featured more than one post-primary debate since 2012. That may be a consequence of the growing political polarization of the state.

“I think there’s a growing cynicism about the utility of debates, Cal State Sacramento political scientist Kimberly Nalder told the Times.

Cox’s strategy during the debate mirrors the one he has employed for months on the campaign trail. He has tried to saddle Newsom with responsibility for California’s high gas taxes, it’s high poverty rate, housing costs and every other economic woe facing the state. As a social conservative who opposes abortion, Cox has largely steered clear of those issues.

"This campaign is about change versus status quo," he said. "Gavin has been part of the political class that has led this state downward."

There’s a poetic irony that Newsom should be held responsible for so many of the state's problems, given that he has occasionally griped that the post of lieutenant governor offers little in the way of actual responsibility. But as a Bay Area Democrat, Newsom certainly represents more of a continuation of current policy than Cox.

For his part, Newsom also took a familiar tact in the debate this morning, arguing that Cox was "in lockstep with Trump and Trumpism." To hear Newsom tell it, Cox is the president’s Midwestern alter-ego: a millionaire outsider with no political experience and ideas that are both unrealistic and unacceptable to most Californians.

In short, Cox hopes the election will be a referendum on the current political direction of the state, while Newsom wants every voter to have President Trump at front of mind as they fill in their ballot.

According to a recent poll from the Public Policy Institute of California, Newsom’s strategy appears more likely to succeed — and not just because he’s a Democrat in a blue state. Among likely voters, 61 percent disapprove of the way Trump is handling the job. Meanwhile, by a slim 50-to-47 margin, more voters than not believe that California is headed in the right direction.

As the frontrunner in a blue state, Newsom could be seen to have little to gain from more frequent, visible debates. In the newest Target Book Insider Track Survey, which asks consultants, lobbyists and other political players in California politics from both sides of the aisle, 37 percent of respondents said Newsom shouldn't bother with debates because there's no upside for him, only the risk of a downside. But 63 percent said he should debate — either because it would be a needed endorsement of the American political process (30 percent) or politically smart (8 percent) or both (25 percent).

To dive deeper into the details about John Cox and Gavin Newsom — including video interviews and an ability to create a side-by-side comparison of both on the issues you care about — explore the CALmatters voter guide.

CALmatters is an independent public interest journalism venture covering California state politics and government.