FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

On November 7, the Inland Empire will host “Health Matters – A Conversation with California’s Next Governor,” a nonpartisan forum where candidates for governor will hear from and respond to communities about what they need to thrive. The first-of-its-kind event in the region is organized by 11 philanthropic foundations working to ensure every Californian has a fair chance of good health and wellbeing.

Up to six leading candidates will respond to questions from communities often left out of policymaking because of where they live, their income, race and ethnicity, and barriers to participating in the democratic process. Hosting this forum in the Inland Empire is intentional, considering the region’s rapid growth, unique needs, and dynamics seen across the state.

The forum will set the stage for the 2026 election by putting candidates on record about how they plan to meet the diverse needs of Californians and expansive definitions of health.

Health means having access to affordable health care but also a good job, safe and affordable place to live, clean air to breathe, support at home as we age, opportunities for sport and play, and strong relationships with friends, family, and neighbors. Making this vision real for everyone requires state leaders, community organizations, and philanthropy to work together on a health agenda shaped by the priorities of all Californians. 

The event is hosted by 11 philanthropic foundations dedicated to advancing health and wellbeing in California. Collectively, these organizations invest billions into healthier communities and a stronger, more resilient state. Host Foundations include:

• Archstone Foundation
• Blue Shield of California Foundation
• California Health Care Foundation
• Inland Empire Community Foundation
• Inland Empire Health Plan Foundation
• LA84 Foundation
• Metta Fund
• Sierra Health Foundation
• The California Endowment
• The California Wellness Foundation
• The SCAN Foundation

To ensure broad access, the event is supported by NBC4 and Telemundo 52 as well as CalMatters and the Inland Empire Journalism Hub.

The following candidates have confirmed their participation in the forum:

Xavier Becerra, Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Tony Thurmond, California Superintendent of Public Instruction

Antonio Villaraigosa, Former Speaker of the California State Assembly and 41st Mayor of Los Angeles

Betty T. Yee, Former California State Controller

The forum will be held on November 7 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. PST in the Inland Empire.

The forum will be livestreamed so all Californians have the opportunity to hear directly from gubernatorial candidates on the issues most vital to their well-being. 
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 are the livestream media partners for the forum. The live event will stream on NBCLA.com, Telemundo52.com, on the free NBCLA and Telemundo 52 mobile apps, on the stations’ YouTube channels @NBCLA and @Telemundo52, and on the stations’ 24/7 local news streaming channels NBC Los Angeles News and Noticias Telemundo California, which are accessible on the stations’ digital platforms and across leading streaming services and connect-TV devices.

In-person attendance is limited and by invitation only. If you do not have an invitation, we encourage you to join via livestream. The live event will stream on NBCLA.com, Telemundo52.com, on the free NBCLA and Telemundo 52 mobile apps, on the stations’ YouTube channels @NBCLA and @Telemundo52, and on the stations’ 24/7 local news streaming channels NBC Los Angeles News and Noticias Telemundo California, which are accessible on the stations’ digital platforms and across leading streaming services and connect-TV devices.

Yes. The full recording of the forum will be available to watch online after the event, so Californians who cannot join the livestream can still hear directly from the candidates.

Yes! We encourage communities, organizations, and families to host watch parties to view the livestream together. This is a great way to spark local conversations about the future of health and wellbeing in California.

• Before the event: Invite neighbors, colleagues, or community members to join.
• During the event: Stream the forum live and follow along on social media using our event hashtag.
• After the event: Use the discussion prompts we’ll provide to reflect on what you heard from the candidates.

Watch party resources — including invitations, discussion guides, and social media graphics — will be available on our website closer to the event.

Accredited members of the press are welcome to cover the Health Matters Forum. Media attendance is by advance registration only. To request credentials, please complete this form. Spanish-language access will be available for attendees and via livestream. For any on-site press needs, please contact Jon Koriel at jon@brysongillette.com.

This is a nonpartisan forum, and candidate participation is determined using objective criteria applied equally to all campaigns. The process ensures fairness, transparency, and compliance with federal rules governing 501(c)(3) organizations.

Candidates were reviewed and scored based on:

• Polling: Eligible candidates must be among the top six candidates on the statewide poll conducted by the forum hosts and other recent public polls. 
• Overall Fundraising: Eligible candidates must be among the top six in campaign funds raised, based on 2025 Q2 reporting and any required updated public filings. 
• Cash On Hand: Eligible candidates must be among the top six in cash on hand, based on 2025 Q2 reporting and any required updated public filings. 
• Campaign Activity: Eligible candidates must demonstrate a formal, visibly active and public-facing campaign. 

All active campaigns were informed about the event and the criteria for inclusion. Six candidates with the highest scores were invited to participate, and alternates were designated in case of any withdrawals.

Yes. The forum will be broadcast in both English and Spanish through our media partners NBC4 and Telemundo52. Accessibility features such as closed captioning will also be available on the livestream to ensure all Californians can participate.

The forum is structured to ensure a fair and substantive conversation. Candidate questions will be drawn from community voices, along with questions from moderators.

For general questions about the Forum, please contact us at contact@healthmattersforum.org. 

For media inquiries, please contact Jon Koriel at jon@brysongillette.com.