News - California Governor race heats up with televised debate tonight

In a pivotal moment for California's gubernatorial race, seven of the state's prominent candidates are set to engage in a televised debate this evening in San Francisco, targeting voters in California's largest media hubs—the Bay Area and Los Angeles. Overview: Date and Venue: The much-anticipated debate will commence at 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time on February 3, continuing until 8 p.m. It will take place at the historic Ruth Williams Bay View Opera House in San Francisco. Participants: Present at the debate will be a mix of seasoned politicians and newcomers, including: - Matt Mahan, Democrat, serving as the mayor of San Jose - Tom Steyer, Democrat, acclaimed investor and advocate for environmental issues - Antonio Villaraigosa, Democrat, former mayor of Los Angeles - Steve Hilton, Republican, known political advisor and commentator - Tony Thurmond, current California State Superintendent of Public Instruction - Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and former California Attorney General - Betty Yee, who has served as California's State Controller Absent from tonight's debate are candidates like Eric Swalwell and Katie Porter, due to unavoidable scheduling conflicts. Broadcast Details: The debate will be hosted by KTVU FOX 2, together with KTTV FOX 11 and the Black Action Alliance—a nonprofit committed to advancing social justice. Loren Taylor, interim CEO of Black Action Alliance and former Oakland City Council member, tells us the organization aims to uplift the Black community through advocacy and tangible outcomes. Moderation will be handled by political experts and anchors including KTVU's Greg Lee and Andre Senior, alongside KTTV's Marla Tellez. The debate will also see collaboration from groups like the Black Freedom Fund and the California African American Chamber of Commerce. Access: Viewers can tune in to KTVU FOX 2 in San Francisco or KTTV FOX 11 in Los Angeles. Additionally, the debate will be accessible via the FOX LOCAL streaming app, broadening reach beyond traditional TV metrics. Next Steps in the Election: With the primary election scheduled for June 2—preparations are intensifying as mail voting starts in May. The top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, will progress to the general election on November 3, paving the way for potential head-to-head battles between diverse political ideologies.