"The rules initially were polling and money. Matt Mahan is [polling] lower than some of us, period. The debate organizers then added time in the race, which resulted in Mahan's invitation."
"Mike Murphy, a co-director of the USC center hosting the debate, has been voluntarily advising an independent expenditure committee backing Mahan. He stated that he had nothing to do with organizing the debate."
Four Democratic candidates for governor are urging their fellow candidates to boycott an upcoming debate at USC, citing concerns over exclusionary criteria that left out prominent candidates of color. Xavier Becerra emphasized the need for a fair debate process, while Antonio Villaraigosa criticized the rules that allowed San José Mayor Matt Mahan to participate despite lower polling. The situation is complicated by Mahan's supporters' connections to the university, raising questions about the debate's impartiality.
#california-governor-race #debate-controversy #candidate-exclusion #democratic-party #political-campaigns
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