As ballots start arriving in mailboxes this week, seven of the leading candidates for California governor will take to the stage for back-to-back debates this week, with the first one occurring Tuesday night.
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Here’s what you need to know:
When and where is the debate?
The debate will take place in Los Angeles and will run from 6 to 8 p.m.
Who’s in the debates?
- Xavier Becerra, Democrat, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary
- Chad Bianco, Republican, Riverside County Sheriff
- Steve Hilton, Republican, former Fox News host
- Matt Mahan, Democrat, San Jose mayor
- Katie Porter, Democrat, former Orange County congresswoman
- Tom Steyer, Democrat, billionaire philanthropist
- Antonio Villaraigosa, Democrat, former Los Angeles mayor
How were the participants selected?
CNN said participants must meet the state’s qualifications, have raised, contributed or loaned at least $1 million toward their campaign, and have received at least 3% support among likely primary voters in two California gubernatorial polls, or an average of 3% support in two California gubernatorial polls conducted by polling organizations whose methodology meets CNN’s standards. The network didn’t indicate which polls it relied on. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond didn’t make the cut.
What’s the latest polling?
A CBS poll ahead of that network’s debate last week conducted April 23-27 found Hilton at 16%, Steyer 15%, Becerra 13%, Bianco 10%, Porter 9%, Mahan and Villaraigosa 4% and Thurmond 1% among likely voters with a margin of error of 4.1 percentage points. A Survey USA poll April 28-May 1 found Hilton at 20%, Steyer at 18%, Bianco at 12%, Becerra at 10%, Porter at 8%, Mahan at 7%, Villaraigosa at 5% and Thurmond at 2% among likely primary voters with a margin of error of 4.2 percentage points.
From left, Katie Porter, Matt Mahan and Antonio Villaraigosa during a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Chad Bianco during a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Tom Steyer during a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Steve Hilton during a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Xavier Becerra during a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Katie Porter during a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Antonio Villaraigosa during a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Matt Mahan during a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Who’s hosting the debate?
The debate is being hosted by CNN and will be moderated by anchors Elex Michaelson and Kaitlan Collins.
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How to watch?
The debate will air on TV at CNN as well as on CNN.com and its TV and mobile apps for streaming subscribers. The debate will be available on demand for the network’s streaming subscribers the following day.
When is the election?
The primary election is on June 2 and the top two vote-getters, regardless of political party, will advance to the November runoff. Voting by mail has begun and Vote Centers will open for in-person voting on May 23 in Voting Choice Act counties, which includes Santa Clara, San Mateo and Alameda counties.
Are there any more televised debates?
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 in Los Angeles will host a governor’s debate at 7 p.m. on May 6. The debate will feature the same seven candidates.
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