California Dems unleashed pressure campaign against USC prior to debate cancellation

Top Democrats in the California state legislature pressured the University of Southern California (USC) to cancel its planned gubernatorial debate after its framework for who got to participate included five White candidates, but disqualified four minorities who were not polling or fundraising as well per the university. 

The "data-driven" candidate viability framework produced a lineup of Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, as well as Democrats Tom Steyer, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell – all White candidates.