As primary election nears, top candidates for California governor debate tonight
SAN FRANCISCO — With the California governor’s race fast approaching, six candidates will face off Wednesday night in the first debate since former Rep. Eric Swalwell withdrew from the race following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.
The debate comes at a critical moment in the tumultuous race to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom. Ballots will begin landing in Californians’ mailboxes in less than two weeks, and voters are split by a crowded field of eight leading candidates. The controversy also comes after former state comptroller Betty Yee ended her campaign due to a lack of resources and support at the polls.
Two Republicans — Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton — and four Democrats — billionaire Tom Steyer, former Biden administration Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan — will perform at Nexstar’s KRON4 studios in San Francisco. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Supt. Public Instruction’s Tony Thurmond, both Democrats, were not invited to participate due to low voting numbers.
The debate could include heated debates about the role of money in politics and potential escalating attacks on Becerra, who has surged in the polls since Swalwell’s departure, as candidates try to stand out in a crowded field. Environmental issues are likely to come to the fore with discussions on Earth Day.
Wednesday night’s meeting marked the first televised debate in the gubernatorial contest since the beginning of February. Last month, USC cancels debate Hours before he was set to begin mounting criticism that his criteria excluded all major candidates of color.
The discussion at 7 p.m. will be hosted by Nexstar and moderated by KTXL FOX40 anchor Nikki Laurenzo and KTLA anchor Frank Buckley. It can be viewed on KRON4 (San Francisco), KTLA5 (Los Angeles), KSWB/KUSI (San Diego), KTXL (Sacramento), KGET (Bakersfield) and KSEE (Fresno). NewsNation will also broadcast the debate.
