Opinion

JONATHAN TURLEY: USC abandons governor debate after Dems whine about White candidates

Becerra claimed 'election rigging' after no candidates of color qualified, and USC scrapped debate it defended

By Jonathan Turley Fox News

Published March 28, 2026 8:00am EDT

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USC cancels California gubernatorial debate after criticism over all-White candidate lineup

California GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton discusses the University of Southern California canceling a debate after Democrats raised concerns about an all-White lineup on ‘The Ingraham Angle.’

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The University of Southern California (USC) is under fire after canceling the California gubernatorial debate with less than 24 hours' notice. The reason? None of the polling candidates are people of color. It was a crushingly revealing moment in a state where universities have long defied voters who demanded an end to affirmative action in admissions.

USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future and ABC/KABC Los Angeles were scheduled to co-host the debate at Bovard Auditorium on Tuesday evening. Then it was canceled on Monday.

Former Biden Health and Human Services Secretary and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra had sent a letter to President Beong-Soo Kim, alleging "election rigging" and objecting "you disqualified all of the candidates of color from participating."

For many, USC succeeded in beclowning itself by first defending USC Professor Christian Grose's "data-driven" selection process and then abruptly canceling the debate lineup selected through that process. If that seems incomprehensible, welcome to American higher education.

JON STEWART BLASTS CALIFORNIA DEMS, WARNING THEIR EIGHT CANDIDATES MAY SPLIT VOTE, LEAD TO GOP VICTORY

An earlier debate that did occur. From left, Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa and Betty Yee stand on the stage during the California gubernatorial candidate debate Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Laure Andrillon)

The cancellation is only the latest unexpected turn in the election, where the two top vote-getters will face each other in a runoff election.

California Democrats are in a panic as two Republicans currently top the polling: Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and commentator Steve Hilton.

At the same time, the leading Democrats include controversial candidates such as former Rep. Katie........

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