USC pulls plug on California gubernatorial debate after candidate race controversy

The University of Southern California abruptly called off its planned Tuesday gubernatorial debate less than a day before it was scheduled, following an intensifying backlash over the exclusion of all candidates of color from the stage.

School officials initially stood by the selection process used to determine which contenders qualified for the forum. But as criticism mounted, the university ultimately scrapped the event, citing the growing controversy and an impasse with co-host KABC over whether to broaden participation.

From left, Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Betty Yee stand onstage during the California gubernatorial candidate debate Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Laure Andrillon)

“We recognize that concerns about the selection criteria for tomorrow’s gubernatorial debate have created a significant distraction from the issues that matter to voters,” the university said in a statement late Monday. “Unfortunately, USC and [debate co-sponsor] KABC have not been able