California's First Gubernatorial Debate Airs Tonight on NBC Palm Springs

California's first major gubernatorial debate of the 2026 election cycle airs tonight, Wednesday, April 22nd, at 7 p.m., live right here on NBC Palm Springs.

Six candidates qualified for the stage under Nexstar's national debate criteria: two Republicans and four Democrats. Former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco will represent the Republican field. On the Democratic side, billionaire activist Tom Steyer, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Congresswoman Katie Porter, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan will face off.

Because of the debate, tonight's programming schedule will look a little different. The 5 p.m. newscast will air as usual, followed by NBC Nightly News at 5:30. However, the 6 p.m. news and the Roggin Report will not air tonight. In their place, Wheel of Fortune runs at 6 p.m. and Jeopardy at 6:30. The debate then kicks off at 7 p.m. and runs through 8 p.m. The 11 p.m. newscast will air at its normal time.