{"id":245028,"date":"2026-03-31T13:05:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T13:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/245028\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T13:05:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T13:05:11","slug":"fresno-hosts-two-gubernatorial-candidate-forums","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/245028\/","title":{"rendered":"Fresno hosts two gubernatorial candidate forums"},"content":{"rendered":"

A week after a high-profile gubernatorial forum at USC was cancelled following criticisms of its selection process<\/a>, two Fresno colleges will each host a candidate forum on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

The first event, hosted by agricultural advocacy organizations at Fresno State, is focused on issues facing the agricultural industry. The other, hosted at Fresno City College by a coalition of labor organizations and the UC Merced Community and Labor Center, will focus on San Joaquin Valley working people and families.<\/p>\n

Six candidates from the crowded race<\/a>, four Democrats and two Republicans, will participate in the \u201cAffordability and Rural California\u201d event on April 1 hosted by Western Growers, California Farm Bureau and the Agricultural Council of California, as well as other agricultural advocacy organizations.<\/p>\n

Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia made a public appeal last week on X (formerly Twitter) inviting Democratic frontrunner U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell of Dublin<\/a> to participate in what he called described as the only debate focused on rural California.<\/p>\n

But Swalwell and Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer will be absent due to scheduling conflicts, organizers said.<\/p>\n

Fresno County District 4 Supervisor Buddy Mendes will co-moderate the event with Kristin Olsen-Cate, a former assemblymember and supervisor who represented Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties. Mendes said the goal is to see if \u201cthese people know anything about ag.\u201d<\/p>\n

A March 4 email announcement from the Fresno County Farm Bureau said in the event would cover issues shaping the future of California agriculture, rural communities and food affordability. The forum will elevate the voice of the agricultural community and highlight the connection between regulatory costs and food prices, the Farm Bureau said.<\/p>\n

Without elaborating on specific questions, Mendes said state regulations will be of particular concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think they (voters) need to know who\u2019s running and how they answer these questions,\u201d Mendes said.<\/p>\n

All candidates were invited to attend, Mendes said. Candidates confirmed to participate in the event include, in alphabetical order:<\/p>\n

Hi Congressman @ericswalwell<\/a>. Good point. Perhaps you can resolve the conflict cited for declining to participate in the April 1 candidate forum at Fresno State. 30 farm groups sponsoring the only debate focused on rural CA, affordability and farm sustainability. Six leading\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/UYfnE3pgIg<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dave Puglia (@Dave_Puglia) March 23, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Candidates will have two minutes to provide an opening statement, the opportunity to answer questions and conclude with closing remarks.<\/p>\n

Mendes said the event will keep a strict time count to keep the conversation flowing.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got six people that like to talk,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ll be firm but fair.\u201d<\/p>\n

The forum is scheduled for noon-1:30 p.m. at the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Union at Fresno State. Members of the public can register for the free event here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Last week, a forum that was scheduled at the University of Southern California and co-sponsored by the KABC-TV Los Angeles was cancelled after mounting criticism that every prominent candidate of color was excluded from participating<\/a>. The university \u2014 as well as other political scientists, public policy professors and researchers\u2014 defended the methodology used to select participants, which it says was based on a combination of polling and fundraising, and metrics consistent with formulas widely used to set debate participation nationwide, the L.A. Times reported.<\/p>\n

According to a recent survey published by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California<\/a>, five candidates are in a close competition for the June 2 primary: Bianco, Hilton, Porter, Steyer and Swalwell.<\/p>\n

The top two contenders will face off in the Nov. 3 general election.<\/p>\n

Labor-focused candidate forum at Fresno City College \"The The sign outside Fresno City College photographed in 2021. JOHN WALKER The Fresno Bee <\/p>\n

Later Wednesday, voters will have another opportunity to hear from five Democratic candidates at the \u201cCentral Valley Gubernatorial Candidate Forum\u201d hosted by UC Merced Community and Labor Center and the Central Valley Worker Coalition, a group that represents 60 unions, worker centers, farmworker organizations and community-based organizations.<\/p>\n

The non-partisan educational candidate forum aims to provide Central Valley residents and workers with an opportunity to learn more about the platforms and positions of candidates on issues including persistent poverty and unemployment, job quality, shifting local economies, immigration and the future of agriculture.<\/p>\n

Confirmed participants include: Becerra, Mahan, Porter, Tony Thurmond (D), California\u2019s State Superintendent of Public Instruction since 2019<\/a>, and Villaraigosa.<\/p>\n

All candidates were invited to participate. Bianco, Hilton, Steyer and Swalwell either declined or did not respond to an invitation to participate, organizers said.<\/p>\n

This forum will be held 5:30-7 p.m. at Fresno City College\u2019s auditorium and will be moderated by nonprofit newsroom CalMatters CEO Neil Chase.<\/p>\n

Attendance is available at a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is available here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Spanish translation will be available.<\/p>\n

Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n


\n \"Profile
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

Melissa Montalvo<\/a><\/p>\n

The Fresno Bee<\/p>\n

Melissa Montalvo is The Fresno Bee\u2019s accountability reporter. Prior to this role, she covered Latino communities for The Fresno Bee as the part of the Central Valley News Collaborative. She also reported on labor, economy and poverty through newsroom partnerships between The Fresno Bee, Fresnoland and CalMatters as a Report for America Corps member.\n <\/p>\n