Press Release

NewsNation and The Hill to carry California gubernatorial primary debate

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by The Hill Staff - 04/14/26 10:04 AM ET

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by The Hill Staff - 04/14/26 10:04 AM ET

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NOW PLAYING

NEWSNATION AND THE HILL TO CARRY NEXSTAR’S CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY DEBATE ON APRIL 22 AT 10 PM EDT

- Nationwide Telecast Will Mark First Debate Featuring All Four Leading Candidates

- The Hill to Live Stream the Event

- Nexstar’s California Television Stations to Carry Broadcast Statewide

CHICAGO – NewsNation announce Monday that it will simulcast Nexstar Media Group, Inc.’s, California gubernatorial primary debate, “Debate Night in California: The Race for Governor,” on Wednesday, April 22, from 10-11 p.m. EDT.

The telecast also will be live streamed by The Hill, the nation’s #1 digital source for political news and analysis. Produced by Nexstar’s broadcasting division and carried by the company’s local television stations serving California, the event will be the first debate to feature all four leading candidates for governor.

“We are proud to bring this important debate to the audiences of our national networks, ensuring that conversations shaping the future of California are accessible to viewers across the country,” said Sean Compton, president of Nexstar Television Networks. “Serving local communities is central to Nexstar’s mission, and we are honored to play a role in informing the electorate and supporting the democratic process.”

Leading up to the debate, Chris Cuomo will host a special edition of CUOMO from New York at 8 p.m. EDT, followed by Chief Washington anchor Leland Vittert, who will helm a special edition of On Balance live from San Francisco at 9 p.m. EDT. Chris Stirewalt, politics editor of NewsNation and The Hill, will anchor The Hill’s pre- and post-debate live coverage from the Golden State and contribute to NewsNation’s special coverage. Following the debate, NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich will host a special edition of Katie Pavlich Tonight at 11 p.m. ET, preempting Jesse Weber Live.

Originating from KRON4 studios in San Francisco, the debate will be broadcast statewide across Nexstar’s California television stations, including KRON4 (San Francisco), KTLA5 (Los Angeles), KSWB/KUSI (San Diego), KTXL (Sacramento), KGET (Bakersfield), and KSEE (Fresno). An encore presentation will air on NewsNation on Thursday, April 23, at 2 a.m. EDT.

The debate will be moderated by Nikki Laurenzo, news anchor at KTXL FOX40 in Sacramento and host of Inside California Politics, and Frank Buckley, veteran morning news anchor at KTLA in Los Angeles.

Candidates who have met the polling threshold, earning at least 5 percent in Nexstar’s March statewide poll will include: Chad Bianco (R), Steve Hilton (R), Katie Porter (D), and Tom Steyer (D). All candidates have accepted Nexstar’s invitation to participate.

About NewsNation

NewsNation, a Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST) property, is the country’s source for “News for All Americans.” Validated by independent watchdog groups, the network delivers engaging and unbiased news, reflecting the full range of perspectives across the country. In addition to its dedicated national staff of reporters, producers, and photographers, NewsNation draws on the local expertise of Nexstar’s 6,000 journalists in 110 newsrooms across the country. NewsNation is fully distributed on every pay television platform in the United States, online at www.newsnationnow.com, and on the NewsNationNow mobile app, available on Android and iOS.

About The Hill

The Hill is the nation’s leading digital-first political news brand and the definitive source for non-partisan political news and information. Inside the Beltway it’s known as an essential, agenda-setting read for lawmakers and influencers. Beyond the Capitol, millions of Americans turn to The Hill to decode how events in Washington will impact their communities and lives.

NewsNation Media Contact:

Carly Shanahan/cashanahan@newsnationnow.com

872-242-9616

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