CBS Information California Investigates is launching an interactive instrument to assist voters navigate the crowded 2026 gubernatorial race, providing a deeper take a look at candidates’ positions on a wide range of matters forward of an upcoming high-profile debate hosted by CBS-owned California stations.
The California Governor’s Race Candidate Information compiles greater than 20 hours of interviews with top-polling candidates and presents them in a side-by-side, issue-by-issue format. Developed by CBS Information California Investigates, the information gives the chance to check full responses from the candidates to questions on a variety of coverage matters.
The launch of the information comes because the race for governor intensifies and forward of an April 28 gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS-owned California stations in partnership with the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs (APAPA) and Pomona Faculty. The controversy is predicted to function one of many largest candidate fields within the election cycle, with Democrats Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond and Antonio Villaraigosa, in addition to Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton. Democratic candidate Katie Porter was invited to take part however has but to formally settle for.
The interactive information is meant to enrich the controversy. Whereas debate codecs usually restrict candidates to temporary solutions formed by time constraints, the information will give customers the flexibility to pick particular candidates and consider their prolonged responses on every subject, which have been drawn from in-depth interviews carried out over a six-month interval.
Led by CBS Information California Investigates correspondent Julie Watts, the interviews cowl greater than a dozen high-profile points recognized by viewers, policymakers and neighborhood leaders. Matters embrace homelessness; housing affordability; gasoline costs and environmental coverage; immigration; well being look after undocumented immigrants; crime and public security funding; and California’s ongoing insurance coverage disaster.
The information additionally permits customers to check how candidates reply to the identical questions and follow-up prompts, providing perception not solely into the contenders’ coverage positions but additionally how they deal with questions on their stances.
CBS Information California will use the instrument through the debate broadcast, with anchors directing viewers to the information on CBSNews.com/CAgov. The purpose is to create a two-part expertise: a reside occasion that includes real-time exchanges between candidates and an on-demand digital part that permits audiences to additional discover the race’s high points at their very own tempo.
CBS Information California Investigates started creating the candidate interview collection in 2025, when Watts moderated an APAPA instructional gubernatorial discussion board. Watts carried out interviews with 15 candidates, eight of whom have energetic campaigns and can seem on the poll.
These eight candidates have been invited to take part within the April 28 debate.
CBS Information California Investigates
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