A planned gubernatorial debate hosted by USC and KABC-TV was canceled following public backlash over the exclusion of four candidates of color, raising concerns about representation and fairness in California’s 2026 governor’s race.

      The debate excluded State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, former State Controller Betty Yee, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra. The decision prompted criticism from the candidates and community voices, ultimately leading organizers to cancel the event rather than expand participation.

      Speaking on KBLA Talk 1580, Thurmond called the situation “an unacceptable situation, given the diversity of our state and our country, to say that you’re not gonna’ have any voices of color. It’s just unacceptable.”

      Thurmond acknowledged that organizers could create their own criteria but emphasized, “You can come up with any formula you want, but you see that the formula is going to give you only white candidates in a race where the stakes are so high, people deserve to hear from the candidates.”

      He added that organizers “didn’t have to even cancel the debate. They could have just said, Hey, you know what? We want to have a broader conversation that reflects the diversity and democracy of this state, and we invite these four candidates to come on board.”

      Former State Controller Betty Yee described any debate that doesn’t include the major candidates in stark terms, stating, “It’s unconscionable. It’s undemocratic, and really, it’s un-American.”

      Yee emphasized the importance of voter access to information, adding, “the democracy. We let the voters decide. So, voters get to choose who they want to represent them.”

      Villaraigosa also criticized the decision, saying, “You don’t change the rules in the middle of the game. They changed the rules and included a non-qualified candidate… and excluded two others, and we decided to take it on.”

      He further raised concerns about potential influences behind the decision, noting that “there are all kinds of questions being raised by how [Matt] Mahan made the stage, but he otherwise shouldn’t have been there.”

      All three candidates framed the controversy as part of a broader issue of how communities of color are treated in the political process. Thurmond noted that California is “a majority minority state, majority people of color,” while emphasizing that “nobody’s asking for any handouts here. All we’re asking for is fairness.”

      The candidates also expressed disappointment that none of the white candidates invited to the debate withdrew in solidarity. Thurmond said those candidates “put out the intended saying that they value diversity, and then when they had an opportunity to stand up for diversity, they put their hand down. Instead of stepping forward, they step backwards.”

      Yee echoed that sentiment, stating, “Words come cheap. The actions didn’t follow us.”

      Villaraigosa was more direct, saying, “You’re not what you say. You’re what you do,” adding that when candidates of color sought a joint conversation, “none of them showed… You talk about a lack of respect.”

      Beyond the controversy, the candidates used the moment to highlight key issues in the race, particularly affordability and economic inequality.

      Thurmond pointed to housing and economic challenges, saying, “we are being pushed out in every community in this country, and we have to make sure that we have affordable housing.”

      He also emphasized reparations, noting, “Politicians have been throwing around the word reparations, but putting nothing behind it. As Governor, I’ll make sure we have a real reparations package.”

      Yee focused on economic equity, stating, “we’ve got to focus on that, because that’s what we’re dealing with. That’s the heart of all of our issues.”

      Villaraigosa underscored affordability, saying, “at the end of the day, people can’t afford this state.”

      Despite the setback, all three candidates indicated they will remain in the race and continue engaging voters directly. With the primary still months away and many voters undecided, they stressed the importance of inclusion moving forward.

      As Villaraigosa put it, “The people who lost are the voters, and particularly voters of colors.”