Some of California’s leading gubernatorial candidates will head to Fresno in a few weeks for a candidate forum.
The Maddy Institute will host the forum, titled “Affordability and Rural California,” on April 1 in partnership with dozens of agricultural groups, including Western Growers.
Who’s coming: All candidates who have reached above the three percent polling threshold in the March 1 average of polls conducted by RealClearPolitics were invited.
Five candidates will attend: former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, former Fox News host and businessman Steve Hilton, former Rep. Katie Porter (D–Irvine) and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The Maddy Institute also invited San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, billionaire activist Tom Steyer and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D–Castro Valley).
What we’re watching: The forum will start at noon on April 1 and run through 1:30 p.m.
A moderator will lead the forum, and each candidate will have two minutes for opening statements, followed by one hour of moderator-led questions and discussions. The forum will wrap up with two minutes for closing statements for each candidate.
It will be held at the Ruiz Event Space at the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Union at Fresno State.
What they’re saying: “As the nonpartisan public policy institute for the Central Valley, we are proud to co-host this bipartisan forum with candidates seeking California’s highest office,” said Blake Zante, executive director of The Maddy Institute. “The Central Valley plays a vital role in shaping California’s future, and forums like this help ensure our region’s voices, priorities, and next generation of leaders are part of the statewide dialogue.”