Regional Directors Statewide Candidates Forum
Livestreamed Saturday, February 7, 2026
Chapters
0:00:00 – Welcome
0:00:56 – Attorney General
0:11:24 – Superintendent of Public Instruction
1:08:47 – Lieutenant Governor
2:01:50 – Secretary of State
2:12:46 – Close
Questions
For the Attorney General
1) We saw what happened in Minneapolis with ICE. How can California realistically fight back against this federal intrusion and keep communities safe while holding agents accountable? In addition, how do you plan to hold California agencies accountable when they illegally share information with the federal government?
2) With increasingly more and more civil rights being taken away from the people of the United States by the Supreme Court, how can California ensure that women are able to keep their bodily autonomy and how do we keep members of the LGBTQ+ community safe while safeguarding their freedoms?
For Superintendent of Public Instruction Candidates
1) Recent proposals to change California’s education governance raise questions about the Superintendent’s independence from the Executive Branch. As State Superintendent, how would you maintain the independence needed to oversee public education and advocate for students—while also working effectively with the Governor’s office and the Legislature to deliver results?
2) Public education and inclusive curriculum are increasingly under attack. How would you use the State Superintendent’s office to defend public education, uphold truth and inclusion in our classrooms, support the students, and build trust with families and communities?
3) California has made historic equity investments in public education, yet gaps in achievement and opportunity remain. As State Superintendent, what are the top two actions you would take to ensure these investments produce measurable results for low-income students, students of color, English learners, and students with disabilities?
4) California’s educator workforce is under strain from burnout, staffing shortages, and cost-of-living pressures. How would you improve recruitment and retention—especially in high-need communities—while supporting educators, respecting collective bargaining, and respecting local control?
For Lieutenant Governor Candidates
1) At a time when democratic norms are under pressure nationally, California must lead by example. How do you see the Lieutenant Governor’s role in defending democratic institutions—such as fair elections, independent governance boards, and ethical leadership—and where would you draw the line between political advocacy and institutional stewardship?
2) California’s climate goals require both urgency and fairness. What role should the Lieutenant Governor play in ensuring that climate and land-use decisions create good union jobs and protect frontline communities—and where do you believe Democrats must be especially disciplined in balancing speed with equity?
3) The Lieutenant Governor sits on boards over the UC and CSU systems. Promises have been made for decades to make college more affordable. What specific policy change would you make to make college more affordable for working class Californians within the next two years?
4) With the Lieutenant Governor also sitting on the state lands commission, you would have the opportunity to engage in the debate in California over the role of California Environmental Quality Act (or CEQA) and environmental stewardship. As it relates to our state’s energy needs, how do you plan to ensure that California protects its natural resources while still being able to keep the lights on and gas prices down?
5) The Lieutenant Governor also chairs the Commission for Economic Development. At a time when the federal government is cutting funds for small businesses who refuse to provide citizenship papers for the people they serve, what specifically will you do to support small, minority- and women-owned businesses and help them to not only survive but to thrive?
6) Democrats believe good policy is strongest when shaped by the people most affected. How would you use the Lieutenant Governor’s office to meaningfully engage labor, local governments, tribes, and community-based organizations before decisions are made on state boards—and how would you ensure that engagement leads to better outcomes, not just better optics?
For the Secretary of State
1) Elections in California are administered at the county level. How can the Secretary of State ensure that we uphold California values and ensure participation by all voters at the ballot box, free of intimidation.
2) Recent changes and ongoing challenges at the U.S. Postal Service have raised concerns nationwide about mail reliability and delivery times. Given California’s heavy reliance on vote-by-mail, how is your office educating voters and ensuring that federal-level postal changes do not interfere with Californians’ ability to cast and have their ballots counted?
Other Forums
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.