NUHW hosts first major debate of 2018 California governor’s race

The race for California governor got into full swing Sunday, October 22, when the National Union of Healthcare Workers sponsored a forum in Anaheim featuring the top four Democratic candidates.

Sharing the stage for the first time this campaign season were Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, State Treasurer John Chiang, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin.

The candidates answered questions from NUHW members and a panel of journalists that included Melanie Mason of the Los Angeles Times, Bob Butler of KCBS Radio, Maria Paula Ochoa of Telemundo, and Jeff Horseman of the Southern California News Group.

The candidates quickly differed over efforts to create a single-payer healthcare system in California. Newsom gave his unequivocal support for the system that would guarantee coverage for all Californians, while Villaraigosa questioned its feasibility.

The candidates also fielded questions about achieving parity for mental health care, protecting the rights of immigrants and workers, cracking down on troubled nursing home operators, and confronting the state’s affordable housing crisis.

Immediately after the 90-minute forum, approximately 350 NUHW elected stewards voted to endorse Newsom for governor.

The forum drew reporters from across the state, including many watching online, and was covered by print, web, television, and radio outlets. Here is a sampling of the more than 100 print and web stories published about the forum:

Los Angeles Times
ABC
Capitol Radio
Orange County Register
KQED
Mercury News
San Francisco Chronicle
KALW
My News LA