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In a heated 90-minute Tuesday evening debate, which a Pomona College student described as “a bit of a mess,” one gubernatorial candidate seemed to capture some unexpected interest: Democrat Tony Thurmond. 

Los Angeles Times columnists noted the intrigue that Thurmond, currently the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, brought to the debate at Pomona College.

“He brought up his family story — child of a Panamanian immigrant who lost his parents young, someone familiar with 'government cheese' as sustenance growing up — in a way that didn’t sound forced or pedantic,” Times columnist Gustavo Arellano said. “He usually stayed within the time limits that were barely enforced by moderators. And he kept knocking down Chad Bianco again and again.” 

During the discussion on homelessness, Thurmond took a jab at Bianco during a brief back-and-forth exchange. 

“If you have any ideas, share them. Otherwise, stop wasting the public’s dollars to steal ballots and to try and keep people from voting,” Thurmond said, referring to the sheriff’s seizure of hundreds of thousands of ballots earlier this year in connection to the special election for Proposition 50 last November. 

Despite his “polished” performance, however, “he’s just too far down in the polls for any kind of comeback,” Times columnist Anita Chabria said. 

His low polling numbers are why he did not qualify for the next gubernatorial debate, which will be hosted by CNN on Tuesday, May 5. 

To qualify for the debate, candidates needed to meet several criteria, including having “at least 3% support among likely primary voters in two California gubernatorial polls or an average of 3% support in two California gubernatorial polls conducted by polling organizations whose methodology meets CNN’s standards for reporting," according to CNN. 

In recent surveys, Thurmond has been polling between 1% and 2% among likely voters.

With those numbers, however, Thurmond did qualify for CBS News’ Tuesday, April 28, gubernatorial debate, where the polling threshold was at least 1% in both Emerson College and LA Times/UC Berkeley polls.

Who are the candidates eligible to attend next week's gubernatorial debate? 

The following candidates are eligible to participate in CNN’s gubernatorial debate next week: Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, along with Democrats Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, and Antonio Villaraigosa. 

Here’s what to know about the candidates. 

Chad Bianco (R)

Bianco was elected as Riverside County Sheriff in 2018 and has served in law enforcement for more than 30 years. He is running for the governor’s seat on a platform that emphasizes public safety, law enforcement, and opposes current state policies. 

Bianco has said he is running for governor because he believes the state is at a breaking point, and he believes he can fix it. He positions himself as having the unique position of an outsider to the Sacramento political establishment. 

Steve Hilton (R)

Hilton is a former Fox News host and U.K. political strategist who is running for California governor on a platform focused on reducing taxes for workers and ending "the bureaucratic war on business." 

Hilton is running for California governor to "end the one-party rule" in the state, aiming to reverse state policies on energy, crime, and education, according to his campaign website. Hilton calls for restoring the California dream of a single-family home for every family. 

Xavier Becerra (D)

Becerra is an attorney who most recently served as the 25th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services and is running for California governor on a platform focused on building the state’s economy, defending its communities, and protecting rights and freedoms.

On his campaign website, Becerra says he is running for governor to “fight to make it possible for all of us to have the California Dream.” 

Matt Mahan (D)

Mahan is the current mayor of San Jose. He is running on a platform centered on making the state affordable for working families, bringing accountability in government, and “building a future that works for all Californians, not just those at the top.” 

He positions himself as “a fighter and a fixer,” who said he is running for governor to fix what he sees as government failures. 

Katie Porter (D)

Porter is a law professor and consumer protection attorney who served as a U.S. Representative from California from 2019 to 2025 and is running for California governor on a platform focused on lowering the cost of living, expanding economic opportunity, and holding corporate interests accountable.

She has said she is running for California governor to address the state’s “decades-long housing crisis” and rising costs of living. 

Tom Steyer (D)

Steyer is a billionaire investor and climate advocate, running on a platform focused on reducing the cost of living for Californians by taking on corporate interests, building affordable housing, and implementing green energy policies. 

Steyer has said he is running for governor in 2026, "because Californians can no longer afford to live here." He seeks to address the issue through tackling housing affordability, reducing energy costs, and pushing for corporate accountability. 

Antonio Villaraigosa (D)

Villaraigosa is the former mayor of Los Angeles and previously served as the California Assembly Speaker. He is running for governor on a platform of public safety, housing, and affordability. 

Villaraigosa has positioned himself as a “problem solver,” who says he is running for governor to “fix what’s broken, find new solutions, and only invest in what works.”  

When is 'The California Governor Primary Debate'

CNN Anchors Elex Michaelson and Kaitlan Collins will serve as moderators for the two-hour debate, scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. PST on Tuesday, May 5. 

The debate will stream for CNN’s streaming subscribers and pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN connected TV and mobile apps. Starting May 6, the debate will be available on demand to CNN’s streaming subscribers and pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN connected TV and mobile apps, and Cable Operator Platforms. 

USA TODAY reporter Paris Barraza contributed to this report.