Newsom Snubs Recall Debate Invite Against 5 Republican Opponents

YORBA LINDA, CA —California voters will head to the polls to cast ballots —either in favor of Gavin Newsom, or in favor of his replacement—on Sept. 14. Before that happens, a debate among five of the Republican hopefuls who seek to unseat California's governor will take place. The two televised debates held at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum will be 90 minutes in length and broach a wide range of issues, a spokesperson for the Nixon Foundation says.

The Richard Nixon Foundation scheduled debates, one Aug. 4 and another on Aug. 22, as a civic service to voters in order to highlight issues facing California today, according to Joe Lopez, Vice President and marketing and communications director for the foundation.

The cast of Republican hopefuls include former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, radio talk-show host Larry Elder, businessman John Cox, Assemblyman Kevin Kiley and former Rep. Doug Ose will participate in the debate, according to Lopez.

Newsom was invited to participate but did not respond to the invitation.

Olympic decathlon gold medalist turned reality television personality Caitlyn Jenner was invited but is not available, Lopez said.

The debates will run from 6-7:30 p.m. and be moderated by Hugh Hewitt, president of the Richard Nixon Foundation. Christine Devine and Elex Michaelson of Fox-11 and former U.S. National Security Adviser Robert C. O'Brien will be the panelists.

Debate participants were selected by applying the Richard Nixon Foundation's proprietary internal metrics it has used to select speakers and debate participants at the Nixon Library for more than 30 years, Lopez said.

The Nixon Foundation has invited the same candidates to participate in the late August debate, as well, Lopez said. It is not yet known if Jenner or Newsom will attend.