After USC canceled a California governor’s debate scheduled for Tuesday night, Fresno State is on the clock.

The Western Growers Association and several other groups are hosting the debate Wednesday, April 1, at noon at the Resnick Student Union on the Fresno State campus. The public is invited but needs to register.

Six candidates were scheduled for a debate hosted by the University of Southern California and televised live throughout the state, including on ABC30 in Fresno. Anchor Warren Armstrong was scheduled as a moderator.

Four candidates of color — former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state Superintendent Tony Thurmond, former state Controller Betty Yee, and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra — complained about their exclusion. USC said it invited candidates based on polling and viability. The backlash and calls for a boycott led to the cancellation.

USC defended its criteria but relented.

“We recognize that concerns about the selection criteria for tomorrow’s gubernatorial debate have created a significant distraction from the issues that matter to voters,” the school said in a statement published by several media outlets.

Several candidates are scheduled to attend the Fresno State debate, but one candidate who declined irked the president of the organizing group.

Fresno State Debate April 1

Six candidates are scheduled to attend the Fresno State event, titled “Affordability and Rural California” — former Fox News contributor Steve Hilton, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, former Rep. Katie Porter, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Becerra and Villaraigosa. The organization said it used a 3% threshold of support based on the March 1 RealClearPolitics poll.

Two others were also invited — Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Livermore, and billionaire Tom Steyer.

Swalwell declined, citing a schedule conflict, organizers said.

Steyer will also miss the debate.

“Unfortunately, Tom has a scheduling conflict that day and will not be able to attend the forum. He plans to come to Fresno to host a town hall sometime in the near future,” his campaign said. They did not specify the nature of Steyer’s conflict.

Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia bristled at Swalwell on X.

On Sunday, Swalwell posted on X, demanding that more candidates be allowed into the USC debate.

“Debates are a fundamental part of our democratic process. The people of California deserve the opportunity to hear from candidates directly about key issues at such a critical time for our state and country. It is a shame that USC has decided to elevate one candidate at the expense of others. USC, and every host of a gubernatorial debate, should employ fair, objective, and honest criteria for all candidates,” Swawell wrote.

Puglia responded Monday.

“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 candidates will be there. Make it 7!” Puglia wrote.

Swalwell’s campaign did not return multiple messages seeking comment from GV Wire.

Former Assemblymember Kristin Olsen-Cate and Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes will moderate. When this story was first published, Central Valley Community Foundation President and CEO and former Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin was scheduled to moderate.

Olsen-Cate was once a Republican representing Modesto. She is now registered with no party preference. Mendes, replacing Swearengin, is a Republican.

Swearengin, the former Fresno mayor, used to be a Republican. Now she is registered as a Democrat, according to voter data. Swearengin told GV Wire she wanted someone with more of an agricultural background to moderate. Mendes is also a farmer from Riverdale.