California Governor Debate Cancelled Amid Allegations of Racism

Democratic candidates vying for California’s governorship are expressing their outrage over the abrupt cancellation of a planned debate, which was set to take place at the University of Southern California. This decision came after some Democrats raised concerns that they were being excluded based on racial criteria.

“We fought. We won! We stood up against an unfair candidate debate system that prematurely determined winners and losers,” former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, one of the candidates now removed from the debate, proudly stated on a recent show.

The uproar stemmed from USC’s selection criteria for the debate, which excluded Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, California Schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond, and former state Secretary of State Betty Yee. Meanwhile, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, whose recent poll ratings were below 5%, was allowed to participate.

“California is failing for too many working people. The solution isn’t to cancel the debate, but rather to ensure every voice is heard,” Mahan remarked after the debate was called off.

Becerra and others have alleged that the university deliberately chose white candidates, suggesting that the excluded Democratic candidates urged their peers to boycott the forum, citing perceived bias.

Other candidates voiced their disbelief at the situation. One stated, “I’m on my way to LA for tonight’s debate, but it got canceled because some low-turnout Democrats complained.” Meanwhile, Republican contender Steve Hilton, leading in the polls, expressed his frustration as well, saying, “I’m done with this clown.”

Becerra pointed out that it was a mistake to exclude diverse candidates while including white candidates, who haven’t performed better in polls than some minority candidates, including himself. A letter from California legislative leaders described the university’s selection process as unprecedented and biased.

USC defended its approach, stating that its selection criteria relied on factors like voting history and funding as indicators of viability. Mahan’s campaign, for example, has attracted significant financial support from Silicon Valley figures.

With a growing divide among Democratic voters, there are concerns that Republicans, Hilton and Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, could both advance to the general election in November. Recent polling places Hilton in the lead, with Bianco close behind.

Moreover, other Democratic contenders like East Bay state Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Rep. Katie Porter, and billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer are also competing for prominence within the party.