By Lila Desai, age 14
Kid Scoop Media Correspondent
Recently, I was sent on assignment for KidScoop Media to cover the Jewish California Governor Candidate Forum 2026 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. While at the event, I saw five out of many candidates running to be our next governor. They included billionaire businessman Tom Steyer, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and sole Republican candidate and Fox host Steve Hilton. Hilton is also a candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump. I saw them debate on heated topics like housing costs, education, our relationship with Israel, energy use and antisemitism. To watch them debate serious topics important to Californians was fascinating.
In my opinion, it doesn’t happen often but I think it’s important to have kids’ voices heard in politics for many reasons. I think it’s especially important because we are the future generation, and we should be included in the conversation and educated about what is happening in our world right now. Therefore, we can further educate the generations who follow us and create a better informed nation on so many levels including our rights as citizens. I hope education on these topics for youth will lead to progress in helping the climate crisis, economic instability, poverty, use of artificial intelligence and more.
My hope for whoever is voted to be our next governor, they will create a better California and world for young and old.
Please do not forget to use your voice at the ballot box. Early voting ballots was sent out on May 4th and in person voting is June 2nd.