The first major televised showdown in California’s wide-open 2026 gubernatorial race took place Wednesday night, April 22, on Nexstar stations statewide, including KRON4 in the Bay Area.

LOS ANGELES — The University of Southern California and KABC-TV abruptly canceled a high-profile 2026 California gubernatorial debate scheduled for Tuesday evening, March 24, after days of intense criticism that its invitation criteria unfairly excluded prominent candidates of color. The event, titled “Your Voice, Your Vote: Race for Governor 2026,” had been set to air live from USC’s Bovard Auditorium and stream statewide.