Leading up to the 2026 Endorsing Convention in San Francisco, YOUR Regional Directors conducted three forums with the candidates seeking the Party nomination.
Click the images below to go to the page where you can watch the forum video archive.
January 31, 2026 | Financial Offices Forum
2 hours, 43 minutes
- Insurance Commissioner
- Patrick Wolff
- Jane Kim
- Ben Allen
- Steven Bradford
- State Controller
- Malia Cohen
- Board of Equalization
- Nelson Esparza, D1
- John Pimentel, D2
- Sally Lieber, D2
- Mike Gipson, D3
- Cody Petterson, D4
- Thomas Umberg, D4
- Martin Arias, D4
- State Treasurer
- Antonio Vazquez
- Eleni Kounalakis
- Anna Caballero
February 7, 2026 | Administrative Offices Forum
2 hours, 13 minutes
- Attorney General
- Rob Bonta
- Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Josh Newman
- Nichelle Henderson
- Al Muratsuchi
- Richard Barrera
- Anthony Rendon
- Lieutenant Governor
- Fiona Ma
- Michael Tubbs
- Josh Fryday
- Secretary of State
- Shirley Weber
February 14, 2026 | Executive Office
1 hour, 43 minutes
- Governor
- Tom Steyer
- Antonio Villaraigosa
- Betty Yee
- Katie Porter
- Tony Thurmond
- Ian Calderon
- Xavier Becerra
Note: Eric Swalwell declined our invitation, and Matt Mahan joined the race after the deadline to apply for the Party endorsement.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: These candidate forums are not sponsored by, endorsed by, affiliated with, authorized by, or coordinated with the California Democratic Party (CADEM/CDP), its Executive Board, its staff, or any of its official bodies. Nothing in these forums or any related materials should be interpreted as implying the California Democratic Party endorsement, sponsorship, approval, or involvement of any kind. The California Democratic Party is neither liable nor responsible for any information shared at these forums or the planning thereof.
These forums are an independent project organized by a coalition of individuals who hold the title of Regional Director but are acting solely in their individual capacities. Any use of the term “Regional Director” is for identification purposes only and does not imply that the California Democratic Party is involved in, connected to, associated with, or supportive of these events.
These forums are being organized in response to numerous requests from delegates and candidates seeking additional opportunities for candidates to inform the delegates on their platforms, policies, and positions in advance of the 2026 Endorsing Convention.