In a significant political move, four Democratic candidates for California governor have called on their fellow competitors to boycott an upcoming gubernatorial debate hosted at the University of Southern California (USC).They argue that the criteria used to determine which candidates were invited to participate resulted in the exclusion of every prominent candidate of color from the forum.
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latimes.comaol.comThe candidates—Xavier Becerra, the former US Secretary of Health and Human Services; Antonio Villaraigosa, former Mayor of Los Angeles; Tony Thurmond, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction; and Betty Yee, former State Controller—expressed their concerns during a news conference.Becerra stated, "If we can't have a fair process for a debate, then we should all not participate," urging all candidates to withdraw from what they deem a "biased forum.".
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aol.comThe controversy stems from the debate's criteria, which the candidates believe was structured to favor San José Mayor Matt Mahan, who entered the race later but quickly garnered significant financial support from Silicon Valley executives.Villaraigosa highlighted that Mahan's polling was lower than that of some excluded candidates, questioning the fairness of the selection process that allowed Mahan to participate.
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latimes.comMahan's campaign did not respond immediately to requests for comment, but he previously defended his inclusion, arguing that Becerra should also be part of the debate.The situation is further complicated by Mahan's ties to USC, as Mike Murphy, a co-director of the USC center hosting the debate, is advising a committee supporting Mahan's campaign.
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aol.comScheduled for 5 pm this Tuesday, the debate will be co-hosted by the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future, KABC-TV Los Angeles, and Univision, and will be streamed across various channels.
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latimes.comIn response to the uproar, USC and the television stations released a joint statement asserting that the debate criteria were not biased and were developed by Christian Grose, a USC political science professor.They emphasized that the methodology employed is consistent with national standards for debate participation, which takes into account polling and fundraising metrics.
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aol.comDespite this, Grose's methodology has faced criticism from the excluded candidates, who argue that it unjustly penalizes candidates based on their fundraising efforts relative to their time spent campaigning.Becerra noted, "Your fundraising numbers are divided by the number of days you've been campaigning," asserting that this unique approach is unprecedented in his experience.
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latimes.comThe public outcry has also drawn attention from political analysts, including Jarred Cuellar, an assistant professor at Cal Poly Pomona, who described Grose's methodology as "thoughtful" and "empirically grounded." However, some USC professors have expressed concern over the debate's organization, calling it an "unforced error" that damages the event's credibility.
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aol.comBecerra and his fellow candidates have highlighted the importance of representing diverse voices in a state that is predominantly comprised of minorities.Yee remarked, "We are a minority-majority state, and the idea that the four candidates of color are not going to be on the stage...is really not doing right by the voters.".
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aol.comIn light of the controversy, Becerra mentioned that discussions with university leadership about potentially canceling the debate or involving more candidates had taken place but yielded no agreement.
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latimes.comHe emphasized the need for inclusive representation, stating the exclusion of diverse candidates fails to serve the electorate appropriately.As the debate approaches, the candidates' call for a boycott could significantly impact the dynamics of California's governor race, particularly in light of the forthcoming primary elections.The outcome of this situation will likely influence voter perception and candidate strategies in the lead-up to the primary.
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latimes.comaol.comWith the debate looming, the question remains whether the invited candidates will heed the call to boycott and if this will shape the future narrative of the gubernatorial race in California.
