USC Cancels Gubernatorial Debate Over Exclusion Backlash

The University of Southern California canceled a planned gubernatorial debate set for Tuesday evening in Los Angeles, less than 24 hours before the event, amid widespread criticism over the exclusion of prominent candidates of color from the forum.

The decision followed days of escalating backlash against the university's selection criteria, which invited only white candidates to participate in the debate co-hosted by USC's Dornsife Center for the Political Future and KABC-TV. Republicans Steve Hilton, a former Fox News contributor, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco were among those selected, along with Democrats Tom Steyer, a billionaire climate activist; former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter; U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell; and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. The four excluded Democratic candidates—former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and former State Controller Betty Yee—each poll between 1% and 5% in recent surveys and raised concerns that the process overlooked established contenders from diverse backgrounds.

USC developed the criteria through a data-driven...