USC and KABC-TV had extended debate invitations to a mix of Republican and Democratic candidates based on a formula tied to polling performance and fundraising totals. The list included Republicans Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, along with Democrats Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Rep. Katie Porter, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, and billionaire Tom Steyer.
But the selection immediately triggered complaints from several excluded Democratic candidates, who argued the process was anything but fair—and raised concerns about who was left out.
Among those speaking out were former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former California State Controller Betty Yee. All three are minorities—and all three were excluded from the debate stage.
“We ask each and every candidate who is in this race to recognize that if we can’t have a fair process for a debate, then we should all not participate,” Becerra said during a virtual press conference on March 20.
Breaking News: USC canceled a California governor’s debate on short notice after facing outrage over including only white candidates. https://t.co/6D4VV2KzdO
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 24, 2026
Villaraigosa echoed the frustration, directly challenging the criteria used to determine who made the cut.
“Some of us have been able to raise more money and are higher in the polls than a candidate who was invited,” he said, disputing the claim that the debate roster strictly followed objective metrics.
Despite those complaints, the numbers tell a complicated story. Both Becerra and Villaraigosa have been polling in the low single digits, trailing behind several of the invited candidates. Still, critics argue that the exclusion of prominent minority candidates—especially in a state as diverse as California—undermined the legitimacy of the event.
The controversy ultimately pushed organizers to cancel the debate altogether rather than move forward under mounting pressure.
Meanwhile, the broader political stakes in the race continue to intensify. California’s all-party primary system sends the top two vote-getters—regardless of party—to the general election. Recent polling cited by state Democratic Party Chairman Rusty Hicks suggests Republicans Bianco and Hilton could secure those top two spots, potentially locking Democrats out of the November runoff entirely.
“All candidates must honestly assess their viable path to win,” Hicks said in a statement, urging weaker contenders to reconsider their campaigns.
