Trending Now - Pressure Mounts on USC as California Governor Debate Falls Apart

WHO:

University of Southern California (USC)

California GOP gubernatorial candidates Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco

Democratic candidates Tom Steyer, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell

Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra

California state Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limon

Speaker of the California State Assembly Robert Rivas

Democratic State Chairman Rusty Hicks

WHAT:

USC canceled a planned gubernatorial debate due to backlash over its candidate selection criteria.

The debate was scheduled for March 29th, 2026.

The selection criteria resulted in an all-White candidate lineup, excluding four minority candidates.

Candidates expressed outrage over the selection process, calling it racist.

A letter from Democratic leaders called the selection framework "biased" and urged voters to boycott the debate.

A party-sponsored poll showed Republicans Hilton and Bianco leading at 16% and 14%, respectively, while Porter, Swalwell, and Steyer were tied at 10%.

WHERE:

University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California

KNBC-TV studio, Universal City, California

WHEN:

The debate was scheduled for March 29th, 2026.

USC announced the cancellation on March 28th, 2026.

A proposed alternative forum was discussed on March 29th, 2026.

WHY:

The debate was canceled due to criticism over the exclusion of minority candidates based on a selection framework that prioritized polling and fundraising.

Democratic leaders expressed concerns that the selection process was biased and did not represent California's diversity.

HOW:

USC used a "data-driven" candidate viability framework developed by USC Professor Christian Grose to select participants.

The framework disqualified candidates based on polling and fundraising performance, leading to the exclusion of candidates of color.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 00:29 UTC)

USC has canceled a planned gubernatorial debate set for March 29, 2026, following backlash over its candidate selection criteria that resulted in an all-White lineup, excluding four minority candidates. The decision drew outrage from candidates and Democratic leaders, who labeled the selection process as biased and urged voters to boycott the event. The framework used for selecting participants, developed by USC Professor Christian Grose, prioritized polling and fundraising performance, which led to the disqualification of candidates of color.