California Gubernatorial Candidates Housing Forum Moderated by Ezra Klein
PUBLISHED ON May 8, 2026
The Terner Center for Housing Innovation, The New York Times, San Francisco Foundation, and Housing Action Coalition hosted a live, nonpartisan forum in which leading Democratic candidates in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race discussed the state’s housing crisis.
California gubernatorial candidates Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, and Antonio Villaraigosa participated in the discussion moderated by Ezra Klein, Opinion writer and podcast host at The New York Times.
Terner Center Managing Director Ben Metcalf joined Housing Action Coalition Board Chair Randi Gerson in welcoming people to the forum and highlighting what is at stake for California. Ben then introduced State Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, who delivered opening remarks.
The sold-out event was held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts in Oakland and broadcast through New York Times channels, bringing California’s gubernatorial candidates and the state’s housing crisis to a nationwide audience.
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