The University of Southern California (USC) canceled a gubernatorial debate after accusations of discrimination arose when nonwhite candidates were excluded. The cancellation occurred due to disagreements with KABC-TV over including more candidates, following controversy over polling and fundraising criteria. The debate's cancellation raised concerns about the impact on the electoral process, especially in a state with a jungle primary system.
was abruptly cancelled when candidates of color, who were set to be excluded, accused the University of Southern California , which was set to host the event, of discrimination. The local news station KABC-TV had been set to televise the event.
The university said that it had discussed including more candidates with KABC TV, but they had been unable to reach an agreement.. The state has a"jungle primary" system, whereby all candidates, regardless of party, appear on the same ballot and the two candidates who receive the most votes advance to the general. Given the structure of the electoral system, this has raised the possibility that Democrats could be entirely locked out of the race.and Democratic candidates were set to participate in the debate. Democrats Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell and Matt Mahan and Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, all of whom are white. Four well-established Democrats—former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and the former state Controller Betty Yee—all failed to meet the criteria to participate. The criteria emerged in the days prior as a source of controversy. USC used polling and fundraising criteria for participation, which in turn resulted in the exclusion of all the nonwhite gubernatorial candidates. While the university initially defended the methodology, it ultimately called off the event less than 24 hours before it was due to take place.In a statement, as per NBC News, they said:"Unfortunately, USC and KABC have not been able to reach an agreement on expanding the number of candidates at tomorrow’s debate. As a result, USC has made the difficult decision to cancel tomorrow’s debate and will look for other opportunities to educate voters on the candidates and issues."Steve Hilton, a Republican, in a post on X: "Tonight's governor debate was canceled by the Democrat leadership of the state legislature. It was their letter of intimidation to USC that caused them to cave.":"We fought. We won! We stood up against an unfair candidate debate set-up that prematurely chose winners and losers. Tonight USC made the right decision to cancel their March 24 gubernatorial forum…so hopefully next time it’s done right."
USC Gubernatorial Debate Discrimination California Politics Elections
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
USC cancels gubernatorial debate after excluding candidates of color draws flakFour excluded candidates claimed last week that the 'rigged' criteria of the debate included only white candidates.
Read more »
USC pulls plug on California gubernatorial debate after candidate race controversyTuesday's planned California gubernatorial debate has been canceled following backlash over the exclusion of all candidates of color.
Read more »
USC gubernatorial debate canceled after candidates scrutinize selection processThe university defended the selection process but said concerns created a 'significant distraction from the issues.'
Read more »
California gubernatorial debate at USC canceled: Here's whyThe University of Southern California canceled its gubernatorial debate on Tuesday night less than 24 hours before six candidates were scheduled to take the stage amid uproar over its exclusion of every candidate of color.
Read more »
California gubernatorial debate at USC canceled at last minute: Here's whyUSC has canceled its gubernatorial debate on Tuesday night, less than 24 hours before six candidates were scheduled to take the stage amid uproar over its exclusion of every candidate of color.
Read more »
Tuesday's gubernatorial debate at USC called offA gubernatorial debate set for Tuesday has been called off. The debate was scheduled to air on this station with six of the candidates in the race.
Read more »