USC Cancels Gubernatorial Debate After Excluding Candidates of Color

The university faced backlash over its decision to only invite certain candidates based on a "data-driven" formula.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 7:03am

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The University of Southern California (USC) canceled its planned gubernatorial debate just a day before the event after facing criticism over its decision to exclude candidates of color from participating. The university had determined that only certain candidates, including a white candidate with lower polling numbers, met its "independent and objective" criteria for viability. Four excluded candidates of color, including Xavier Becerra and Antonio Villaraigosa, condemned the formula as "rigged" and called on all candidates to boycott the debate.

Why it matters

The controversy over USC's debate criteria highlights ongoing concerns about diversity and representation in California politics. The exclusion of candidates of color from the high-profile event raised questions about fairness and access in the gubernatorial race.

The details

USC released a statement saying it stood by its "data-driven" formula to determine candidate viability, but acknowledged the criteria had created a "significant distraction" and decided to cancel the debate. The four excluded candidates of color, including Becerra, Villaraigosa, Betty Yee and Tony Thurman, had held a virtual press conference criticizing the formula and urging other candidates to boycott the event. They argued the criteria unfairly prioritized newer candidates like San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a white candidate polling lower than some of the excluded candidates of color.

  • USC canceled the debate on the evening of March 23, 2026, less than 24 hours before the scheduled event on March 24.

The players

University of Southern California (USC)

The university that had planned to host the gubernatorial debate and developed the controversial criteria for determining candidate viability.

Xavier Becerra

A Democratic candidate for California governor who was excluded from the USC debate based on the university's formula.

Antonio Villaraigosa

A Democratic candidate for California governor who was excluded from the USC debate based on the university's formula.

Betty Yee

A Democratic candidate for California governor who was excluded from the USC debate based on the university's formula.

Tony Thurman

A Democratic candidate for California governor who was excluded from the USC debate based on the university's formula.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The four excluded candidates have not indicated whether they will suspend their campaigns, with Thurman saying "the reality is that no candidate is polling in a majority in this race. This race is wide open."

The takeaway

The USC debate controversy underscores the ongoing challenges of ensuring diversity and representation in California's high-stakes gubernatorial race, raising questions about the fairness of the selection process and the ability of all candidates to reach voters.