California’s gubernatorial debate ranked — and the candidate the ‘D-‘ moderators had it in for

New York Post ^ | April 28, 2026 | Joel Pollak

[nickcarraway]

Tuesday’s gubernatorial debate at Pomona College was a good fight — and an enlightening one. This time, there were eight candidates onstage, which probably will not help Democrats consolidate their vote. It did, however, lead to substantive exchanges over policy.

The most memorable candidate was Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. He was combative, but also knowledgeable on policy. None of the Democrats in particular stood out, though Katie Porter had her best performance yet. Matt Mahan also did well, especially towards the end.

CBS News should be credited for holding a lively and successful event. However, the moderators almost derailed it with aggressive “fact checks” and by interjecting their own opinions. The candidates saved the day.

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: california; chadbianco; gubernatorial; joelpollak; newyorkpost; phonyfactcheckers

[Nateman]

They should just dump the moderators. Give them chess clocks to hit when they are done. Microphones go off for the others when someone is on the clock. Those with the most time left on their clock speak next. Ties settled by random selection of the next up to speak.

[GOPJ]

CBS News should be credited for holding a lively and successful event. However, the moderators almost derailed it with aggressive “fact checks” and by interjecting their own opinions. The candidates saved the day.

CBS moderators sucked...

[Retrofitted]

All moderators suck. These aren’t debates; they’re group press conferences. Just once I’d like to pols involved in a real debate. They would crumble.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Katie Porter stands out in the same way a hippopotamus stands out.

[nickcarraway]

I’d rather have lunch with a hippopotamus than Katie Porter.

[Red Badger]

“Katie Porter stands out in the same way a hippopotamus stands out.”...... in a pig pen.................

[GOPJ]

Press bias often works in our favor... do you ever remember the ‘teacher’s pet’ being popular with the other kids?

Didn’t think so...

[luckystarmom]

Matt Mahan was my city counsel rep when I lived in San Jose. He first ran on not being a politician and just wanted to help San Jose. Now, he’s running for governor.

[Fireone]

It’s the “easy money virus”, they all catch it sooner or later. Usually, sooner.

[stremba]

Lincoln and Douglas didn’t need any stinking moderators. IIRC in each debate, one went first and got some amount of time to speak. The other then got time for a rebuttal. The first then got a counter-rebuttal and that was it. Times were worked out so both got to speak for the same amount of time. No questions from the press; they just talked about whatever they thought they should.

Even with multiple candidates, we could give each time for a short speech and then a rebuttal after everyone had a chance to speak.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Lincoln Douglas rings a bell. If the GOP finishes 1-2 in the June primary and thereby guarantee a republican victory a series of those monthly debates over the summer would work wonders. Problem is it would go 3 hours or so each time and peoples attention spans are too short. Still the state of Calif. could show the rest of the country how it’s done.

[hanamizu]

If the GOP finishes 1-2 in the June primary and thereby guarantee a republican victory...

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If that happens, I foresee Newsom calling an emergency session of the legislature and having them pass a law eliminating the jungle primary system. If legally necessary, having a special election to let the voters approve the change. This will be done, of course, ‘ensure fairness’.