The UC Merced Community and Labor Center held a candidate forum with the Central Valley Worker Coalition at Fresno City College. The event, moderated by Neil Chase, chief executive officer of CalMatters, featured five candidates: Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Kate Porter, Tony Thurmond, and Antonio Villaraigosa, all of whom are running for California governor. Spanish and Punjabi translations were made available, allowing for inclusivity.
Each panelist had approximately one minute and 30 seconds to answer each question from Chase. Candidates were asked how they would improve life for many in the Central Valley, ranging from implementing affordable housing to protecting immigrant communities, addressing environmental issues, and addressing unemployment rates in the region.
Former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra, who also served as the first Latino to lead the HHS, gave the first response. Becerra shared that he hopes to offer every individual who works hard and is the lowest-paid the same opportunities afforded to his immigrant parents, so that they can live out the dream of a better life…