FOX 11 to host California gubernatorial debate on Feb. 3: What to know

SAN FRANCISCO - California voters will head to the polls this year to elect the state's next governor in one of the most consequential gubernatorial races in recent history.

Ahead of the primary election this summer, FOX 11 will host a gubernatorial debate with the candidates vying to be California's next leader.

The debate, in partnership with KTVU FOX 2 and the Black Action Alliance, will be held on Feb. 3 at the Ruth Williams Bay View Opera House in San Francisco.

The debate will be aired across the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles – the two largest media markets in California.

The event will be hosted by KTVU FOX 2 political reporter Greg Lee and anchor Andre Senior, along with FOX 11's Marla Tellez.

Co-hosts include the Black Action Alliance, The Black Freedom Fund, Black Leadership Council, Black Women Organized for Political Action, CalVoices, and the California African American Chamber of Commerce.

When is the gubernatorial debate?

What: 2026 California Gubernatorial Debate
When: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM (Live Broadcast)
Where: Ruth Williams Bay View Opera House, San Francisco, CA
TV/Streaming Partners : KTVU FOX 2 (San Francisco), FOX 11 (Los Angeles), and the FOX LOCAL streaming app

Who is moderating the debate?

The event will be hosted by KTVU FOX 2 anchors Greg Lee and Andre Senior and FOX 11's Marla Tellez.

Who is participating in the gubernatorial debate?

Antonio Villaraigosa, former Los Angeles mayor
Matt Mahan, San Jose mayor
Betty Yee, former California state controller
Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and Attorney General of California
Steve Hilton, political commentator and political adviser
Tom Steyer, entrepreneur
Tony Thurmond, California's state superintendent of public instruction