California Gubernatorial Debates: Shifting Dynamics Ahead of Primary Elections

California's gubernatorial race is heating up as two major debates are scheduled ahead of the state's primary election on April 28, 2026. The first debate, hosted by Nexstar Media Group, will take place on April 22, while the second will be broadcast by CBS News California on April 28. The CBS debate will occur at Pomona College and is expected to feature candidates who meet specific polling thresholds, as outlined by Paramount, which owns the CBS stations involved.

The Desk

Jennifer Mitchell, President of CBS Television Stations, emphasized the importance of the debate, stating, “Our CBS stations serve California’s biggest markets, giving us a unique ability to bring this debate across the state.” The event will be moderated by a team of experienced journalists, including KCBS anchor Pat Harvey and KPIX anchor Ryan Yamamoto.

The Desk

The political landscape has shifted recently with the withdrawal of Rep. Eric Swalwell from the gubernatorial race amid allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct. His exit opens the door for other candidates to qualify for the upcoming debates, potentially altering the dynamics of the race. Nexstar Media Group is conducting a new statewide poll to finalize the debate lineup, with candidates needing to achieve at least 5% support to qualify.

New poll could alter April 22 debate lineup on KSEE24The Desk

Candidates such as Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Steve Hilton, and Chad Bianco have already met the necessary criteria for the April 22 debate. Matthew Rosenfeld, Nexstar's Senior Vice President, noted, “The upcoming poll offers a critical opportunity for several high-profile candidates who fell short of the 5% mark in March to qualify for the debate.”

New poll could alter April 22 debate lineup on KSEE24

G. Gabrielle Starr, President of Pomona College, expressed enthusiasm for hosting the CBS debate, stating, “We look forward to bringing this timely and important event to Pomona, and continue to encourage everyone to engage in shaping the political life of our state and nation.” This sentiment reflects the broader goal of these debates to foster informed voter engagement in California's political process.

The Desk

While the debates are designed to enhance voter engagement, there are concerns regarding the criteria for candidate participation. The cancellation of a previous debate organized by ABC due to disputes over candidate eligibility has raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the selection process. Critics argue that such criteria may exclude viable candidates and limit voter choice.

New poll could alter April 22 debate lineup on KSEE24

As the debates approach, discrepancies remain regarding the final list of candidates. While Nexstar has announced a new poll to determine eligibility, the exact impact of Swalwell's withdrawal on the overall race and candidate dynamics is still unclear. The results of the new poll, which will finalize the debate stage, are expected to be released by the end of the week.

New poll could alter April 22 debate lineup on KSEE24

• “Our trusted journalists have long covered politics across California and this forum combines their strong experience to guide an informed conversation for voters.” — Jennifer Mitchell, President of CBS Television Stations

The Desk

• “The upcoming poll offers a critical opportunity for several high-profile candidates who fell short of the 5% mark in March to qualify for the debate.” — Matthew Rosenfeld, Nexstar SVP & regional manager

New poll could alter April 22 debate lineup on KSEE24