Legislative leaders say voters should boycott USC governor debate if other candidates aren't included

""We are writing to demand you open the March 24 gubernatorial debate to all leading candidates," said the letter sent Monday evening to USC President Beong-Soo Kim by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas."

"The outcry over this debate is deafening and includes legal demands from the excluded candidates' attorneys, public calls by elected leaders across the state, concerns from the included candidates' own campaigns, and growing alarm from California voters."

"Critics have pointed out the methodology allowed San José Mayor Matt Mahan - a white candidate who recently entered the race and is polling poorly - to vault above former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra."

Democratic legislative leaders urged voters to boycott USC's gubernatorial debate if excluded candidates are not invited. The letter emphasized the exclusion of leading candidates of color, highlighting widespread concern from voters and legal demands from the excluded candidates' attorneys. The debate's selection criteria have faced criticism, particularly for allowing a less popular white candidate to participate over more prominent candidates of color. USC has not responded to these concerns, and the debate is set to occur shortly before ballots are mailed to voters.

Read at Los Angeles Times