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Coverage dated March 23, 2026 to March 24, 2026

California governor debate canceled after criticism from candidates of color, lawmakers

Headline from Times Of San Diego

Two Republicans and four Democrats, all white, had been set to participate in the debate, which left out four candidates of color.

Times Of San Diego's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

Read the reports

Reports & sources

13 articles, oldest first.

  1. New York Post

    Dem governor’s race in turmoil as USC cancels debate after candidates moaned it was ‘racist’ (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    California governor candidates are irate over a last-minute decision to pull a debate over racism accusations.

  2. MyNorthwest

    University cancels California governor debate after accusations of bias from candidates of color (opens MyNorthwest)

    Published

    MyNorthwest's feed description

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The University of Southern California canceled a gubernatorial debate planned for Tuesday after candidates of color, who would have

  3. NBC News

    California governor debate canceled after criticism of criteria that excluded candidates of color (opens NBC News)

    Published

    NBC News's feed description

    The six candidates in the crowded field of gubernatorial candidates who met the polling and fundraising qualifications for the event, initially scheduled for Tuesday, are white.

  4. RedState

    Unbelievable: USC Cancels CA Gubernatorial Debate Because Not Enough 'Candidates of Color' Qualified (opens RedState)

    Published

    RedState's feed description

    USC cancels California gubernatorial debate citing lack of candidates of color, sparking controversy and boycott calls.

  5. KTVU San Francisco

    California gubernatorial debate at USC canceled at last minute: Here's why (opens KTVU San Francisco)

    Published

    KTVU San Francisco's feed description

    The 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.

  6. CBS News

    USC gubernatorial debate canceled after candidates scrutinize selection process (opens CBS News)

    Published

    CBS News's feed description

    The university defended the selection process but said concerns created a "significant distraction from the issues."

  7. Washington Examiner

    USC cancels California gubernatorial debate after race controversy (opens Washington Examiner)

    Published

    Washington Examiner's feed description

    Tuesday's planned California gubernatorial debate has been canceled following backlash over the exclusion of all candidates of color.

  8. NBC Los Angeles

    USC cancels gubernatorial debate after excluding candidates of color draws flak (opens NBC Los Angeles)

    Published

    NBC Los Angeles's feed description

    Four excluded candidates claimed last week that the "rigged" criteria of the debate included only white candidates.

  9. Times Of San Diego

    California governor debate canceled after criticism from candidates of color, lawmakers (opens Times Of San Diego)

    Published

    Times Of San Diego's feed description

    Two Republicans and four Democrats, all white, had been set to participate in the debate, which left out four candidates of color.

  10. Townhall

    Wait, That's Why a California Gubernatorial Debate Got Canceled?! (opens Townhall)

    Published

    Townhall's feed description

    California gubernatorial debate canceled due to controversy over candidate racial selection criteria at USC.

  11. The Daily Caller

    California Governor’s Debate Canceled Because Candidates Were Too White (opens The Daily Caller)

    Published

    The Daily Caller's feed description

    The University of Southern California cancelled a planned California primary gubernatorial debate because all of the candidates invited were white.

  12. Lamag

    USC Cancels Governor Debate After Diversity Backlash (opens Lamag)

    Published

    Lamag's feed description

    USC cancels a planned governor debate after backlash over excluding candidates of color, sparking criticism from lawmakers and campaigns

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.