Proposed Replacement for Scrapped USC Governor's Debate Falls Apart

Candidates of color excluded from original debate unable to attend last-minute forum

Mar. 25, 2026 at 3:28am

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A proposed gubernatorial forum hastily cobbled together after USC canceled its Tuesday debate fell apart because the candidates of color who were excluded from the previously planned event were unable to show up in person at KNBC-TV's studio in Universal City, according to multiple sources.

Why it matters

The cancellation of the USC debate and the failure to organize a replacement forum highlight ongoing concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of the gubernatorial debate process in California, with candidates of color feeling shut out of key events.

The details

Facing mounting pressure that its debate selection criteria excluded every candidate of color, USC canceled its debate late Monday. Billionaire Tom Steyer then proposed holding an alternative face-off, with KNBC moderating. But the candidates who had not been invited to the USC debate had already made other commitments, and KNBC said pulling together such an event in just a few hours was impossible and unfair to the excluded candidates.

  • USC canceled its debate late on Monday, March 24, 2026.
  • The proposed replacement forum was planned for Tuesday evening, March 25, 2026.

The players

Tom Steyer

A Democratic candidate for California governor who proposed holding an alternative forum after USC canceled its debate.

Xavier Becerra

A former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary and Democratic candidate for California governor who was excluded from the USC debate.

Tony Thurmond

The state Superintendent of Public Instruction and Democratic candidate for California governor who was excluded from the USC debate.

Antonio Villaraigosa

A former Mayor of Los Angeles and Democratic candidate for California governor who was excluded from the USC debate.

Betty Yee

A former state Controller and Democratic candidate for California governor who was excluded from the USC debate.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of this came out of nowhere — there's a debate and you're not invited, followed by there's no debate, and then maybe we should all hang out and have a conversation.”

— Kyle Layman, Strategist advising Xavier Becerra

“We looked into the possibility of doing something. It just wasn't possible because of the last-minute logistics. It was not feasible. We couldn't get everybody here.”

— Anonymous, Person involved in planning potential KNBC debate

“The idea that none of the candidates of color are going to be joining a debate is just inappropriate for a state like California. We also need to have a commitment from all of the debate sponsors that they will include all of us going forward.”

— Betty Yee, Democratic candidate for California governor

What’s next

The next major televised gubernatorial debate is scheduled for April 1 at Fresno State University, but Yee and Thurmond were not invited. Becerra and Villaraigosa had previously confirmed their attendance.

The takeaway

The failure to organize a replacement forum after the USC debate cancellation underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring an inclusive and representative debate process for the California gubernatorial race, with candidates of color feeling shut out of key events.