A nonpartisan event in Sacramento on Monday played host to many of the candidates vying to be the next governor of California.
The Educational Gubernatorial Forum happened at Sacramento State University. It was hosted by the university and the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs organization.
Organizers say major candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties were in attendance.
Democrats Xavier Becerra, Katie Porter, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Betty Yee, along with Republicans Steve Hilton and Leo Zacky spoke at the event.
Each candidate took center stage, delivering their platforms for gubernatorial policy to voters, including students in the crowd concerned for their future.
“Will I be able to survive?” Sac State graduate student Xitlali Curincita said. “Will there be housing for me? Will there be jobs where I can sustain a healthy way of lifestyle and to support my family in the future?”
“I always think about the future, such as housing, where am I going to go,” Sac State student Samantha Villagomez said.
A recent UC Berkeley Institute of Government Studies survey found that, when asked what the issues of greatest concern were in this race, 36% said cost of living, 25% said housing affordability, 18% said homelessness, and 18% said the state of our Democracy.
For small business owner Harris Liue, the forum gave him a better sense of the candidates on the ballot. With more than a year to decide, he’s keeping his options open.
“I was blown away by the different points of view that were,” Liue said. “I’m still undecided.”
Each candidate was given 8 minutes to answer a single question and then talk about their priorities.
CBS News California’s Julie Watts was an emcee.
The event was streamed on CBS News Sacramento, beginning around 2:30 p.m.
https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/california-governor-candidates-2026-sacramento-forum