LOS ANGELES (CNS) – CNN will host a California gubernatorial primary debate in Los Angeles Tuesday evening, offering voters a high-profile forum to hear directly from candidates in one of the nation’s most closely watched races.
The two-hour debate on Tuesday is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and will air live on CNN, CNN International and CNN en Español, with streaming available for subscribers, according to the network. Anchors Elex Michaelson and Kaitlan Collins will moderate.
The event comes as the race is entering its final stretch ahead of the primary election, with a wide field of candidates seeking to lead the nation’s most populous state.
The Republicans in the debate are podcaster and former television host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.
Democratic candidates are former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary and California attorney general Xavier Becerra, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former congresswoman Katie Porter, billionaire financier Tom Steyer and former Los Angeles mayor and Assembly speaker Antonio Villaraigosa.
California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond was not listed for Tuesday’s debate.
CNN said invitations to participate in the debate were based on several criteria, including meeting requirements set by the California secretary of state, raising or contributing at least $1 million to their campaign and demonstrating at least 3% support in qualifying polls.
The race shifted after Eric Swalwell withdrew and resigned from Congress last month following sexual misconduct allegations he has denied.
Former state Controller Betty Yee also ended her campaign last month, saying the decision was prompted by recent polling conducted by her campaign.
The candidates enter the debate with varying levels of momentum, funding and recent scrutiny.
Bianco has faced legal challenges tied to his seizure of ballots during a recent special election, a move he has defended as lawful and approved by a judge.
Hilton has entered the race with national backing, including an endorsement from President Donald Trump, and has framed his campaign as a push for political change in California.
Mahan joined the race earlier this year, positioning himself as a newer entrant with executive experience leading one of the state’s largest cities.
Porter was initially seen as a leading contender before facing scrutiny over a video involving a staff member, which she later said she regretted.
Steyer has significantly outspent other candidates in the race, pouring tens of millions of dollars into his campaign.
Villaraigosa is making his second bid for governor after finishing third in the 2018 race and has received backing from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
The debate follows a forum held last week at Pomona College in Claremont, where eight candidates spent about 90 minutes outlining their approaches to affordability, housing and the rising cost of living.
During that debate, Hilton and Bianco sharply criticized Democratic policies, blaming them for high housing costs and homelessness, while Democrats argued federal policies under President Trump had worsened affordability issues.
Candidates also clashed over gas prices and taxes, with Mahan calling for a temporary suspension of the state’s gas tax and Becerra defending it as necessary to fund infrastructure.
Housing proposals were a central focus, with several candidates — including Porter, Steyer and Villaraigosa — supporting efforts to increase housing supply and streamline development, while Thurmond proposed using school district land for new housing.
Healthcare and wildfire preparedness also emerged as key topics, with candidates debating insurance reforms, prevention strategies and the role of state government in responding to disasters.
Tuesday’s debate is expected to build on those discussions as candidates make their closing arguments ahead of the primary election.
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