USC Cancels California Governor Debate After Rebutting Racial Discrimination Accusations

The invited candidates, two Republicans and four Democrats, were chosen based on polling percentage and fundraising, according to the university.

A sign for the University of Southern California at a campus entrance in Los Angeles on April 16, 2024. Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo

The University of Southern California canceled a California gubernatorial debate planned for Tuesday night after rebutting accusations of racial discrimination made by candidates of color.

Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, and Democrats Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell, and Matt Mahan, who are all white, were slated to participate in the debate hosted by USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future and KABC-TV.