Watch Live: California gubernatorial candidates participate in first debate of 2026

Six California Democratic gubernatorial candidates and one Republican participate in a debate Tuesday night as the candidates vie over who will replace outgoing and term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The seven candidates in the debate are:

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

Former California state Controller Betty Yee

Former  U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary and Attorney General of California Xavier Becerra, 

Fox News contributor and political commentator Steve Hilton

Entrepreneur Tom Steyer 

California state superintendent of public instruction Tony Thurmond 

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.

Several candidates in the crowded field passed on the first debate of the year over scheduling conflicts, including Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, former California Democratic Rep. Katie Porter and Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell.

You can watch the debate, set to begin at 8:30 p.m. Eastern here.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.