STOCKTON— Four of California's gubernatorial candidates discussed climate change and wildfire preparedness at an economic forum Thursday in Stockton, though all acknowledged the serious problems facing the state.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, broke away from the three other candidates (all Democrats) at the California Economic Summit by questioning whether the spate of devastating wildfires in California is related to climate change and labeling some environmental activists “terrorists.”
After some audience members yelled at Bianco for his “terrorist” comment, the Democratic candidates used the moment to reaffirm their own beliefs about a warming planet.
“The impacts of climate change are proven and undeniable,” said Tony Thurmond, a Democrat and California superintendent of public instruction. “You can call them whatever you want. That's our new normal.”
The fires “do have a relationship with climate change,” said former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
In addition to environmental issues, the hour-and-a-half-long forum at the business-focused California Forward Economic Summit focused largely on “checkbook” issues, as candidates, who also included former state Controller Betty Yee, offered grim statistics about poverty and homelessness in California.
Given the forum's location in the Central Valley, the agricultural industry and rural issues were front and center.
Bianco pressed the state and Democratic leaders over California's handling of water management and gasoline prices. At one point, he told the audience that he felt like he was in the “twilight zone” after Democrats on stage presented ways to increase revenue.
Other candidates in the 2026 race for California governor, including former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Rep. Katie Porter, were not present at Thursday's debate. Former Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon was planning to come, but his flight from Los Angeles was delayed, audience members were told.
They are all vying to lead a state facing ongoing budget shortfalls caused by overspending. A report from the state Legislative Analyst's Office released this month cited projected annual operating deficits that will range from about $15 billion to $25 billion through 2029. At the same time, federal cuts by the Trump administration to programs for needy Californians, including the state's Medi-Cal health care program, will put further strain on state resources.
All candidates had different presentations during the afternoon event. When asked by moderator Jeanne Kuang, a CalMatters reporter, about ways to help rural communities, Thurmond cited his plan to build housing on surplus property owned by schools. He also repeatedly talked about extending tax credits or other subsidies to groups, including daycare providers.
Yee, speaking about the wildfires, talked about shoring up housing and creating an industry around the state's fire protection. Yee received applause when he asked why there wasn't more debate about education in the governor's race.
Villaraigosa cited his work finding federal funds to build rail and subway lines in Los Angeles and suggested he would focus on growing the state's electric grid and transportation infrastructure.
Both the former mayor and Yee at points sided with Bianco when they complained about “overregulation” by the state, including restrictions on developers, builders and small businesses.
Few voters are likely paying much attention to the race, as the battle over Proposition 50 dominates headlines and campaign spending.
Voters will decide Nov. 4 whether to support the proposal, which is a Democratic-led effort to gerrymander California's congressional districts to try to mitigate President Trump's attempt to gerrymander districts in GOP-led states to retain control of the House of Representatives.
“Frankly, no one is focused on the governor's race right now,” Yee said at an event last week.
