Debate for California Governor Faces Criticism Over Exclusion of Candidates of Color Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and other candidates of color criticized the University of Southern California (USC) and ABC7 Los Angeles for excluding all candidates of color from an upcoming gubernatorial debate scheduled for March 24. The debate, featuring six candidates, includes newly entered, well-funded white candidate San José Mayor Matt Mahan, while excluding established Democrats of color such as Becerra, former State Controller Betty Yee, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Becerra called the exclusion a deliberate attempt to manipulate voter perception and likened it to historical discrimination practices. USC stated that a political science professor independently developed the debate inclusion criteria based on polling and fundraising, which the Center for the Political Future said had not changed since the forum was planned. The methodology’s ambiguity regarding fundraising reports and the inclusion of late donations has raised questions about fairness, especially since Mahan’s late entry allowed him to benefit from significant financial backing. Republican candidates Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, along with Democrats Eric Swalwell, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, and Mahan, are scheduled to appear. The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about racial bias and fairness in California’s gubernatorial election process, with multiple excluded candidates calling for transparency and equitable treatment in debate participation.

Debate for California Governor Faces Criticism Over Exclusion of Candidates of Color

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