The University of Southern California abruptly canceled a major gubernatorial primary debate just hours before it was set to begin, following mounting political pressure over which candidates made the stage.
The event, hosted by USC’s Dornsife Center for the Political Future, had featured a six-candidate lineup selected using a “data-driven” formula based on polling and fundraising.
But the process quickly came under fire.
Critics noted that several high-profile Democratic candidates of color were excluded, including former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.
California lawmakers escalated the pressure, arguing the outcome spoke for itself.
“When a methodology produces this outcome … the burden falls on USC to explain itself,” they wrote in a letter to university leadership.
They went further, calling for a boycott if the debate moved forward unchanged.
USC initially defended its selection criteria, pointing to its academic basis.
But by late Monday, the university reversed course.
“We recognize that concerns about the selection criteria … have created a significant distraction from the issues that matter to voters,” USC said in a statement announcing the cancellation.
The result: no debate at all.
The decision lands in the middle of a wide-open race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, with no clear frontrunner and candidates clustered within single digits.
That makes debate access especially critical.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who was included in the original lineup, criticized the cancellation.
“The answer isn’t to cancel debates, it’s to hear all voices,” he wrote.
Villaraigosa, who was excluded, praised the move.
“USC made the right call,” he said.
“We fought. We won! We stood up against an unfair candidate debate set-up that prematurely chose winners and losers,” Xavier Becerra, former California Attorney General and one of the candidates excluded from the debate, boasted on X on Monday evening.
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.
Thank you to everyone who stood up,… https://t.co/8drdYNM1Sb
— Xavier Becerra (@XavierBecerra) March 24, 2026
“Heading to LA for tonight’s debate – which has just been CANCELED because LPDs (Low Polling Democrats) whined about being excluded.
”Democrats ALWAYS put the political insiders ahead of the people,” Republican Steve Hilton, who’s leading polls, fumed on X.
“Democrats are panicking because I’m leading,” Hilton said in another post.
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.
Democrats are panicking because I am leading. We already knew they steal and cheat. Now we know they hate debate.… https://t.co/GNRWtBcw5F
— Steve Hilton (@SteveHiltonx) March 25, 2026
A formula meant to measure viability instead triggered a backlash strong enough to shut the event down entirely.
And with California’s “top-two” primary system looming, the stakes are only rising.
More over at The New York Post:
Dem governor's race in turmoil as USC cancels debate after candidates moaned it was 'racist' https://t.co/uiOx2AoIad pic.twitter.com/JcONNvRGQi
— New York Post (@nypost) March 24, 2026