Three Times columnists weigh in on the only scheduled face-to-face debate in the race for California governor.

Stepping in for a complacent Congress, Democratic attorneys general are ready to fight efforts to undermine or overturn the Nov. 3 election. "We need to stay vigilant," says Colorado's Phil Weiser.

The bigoted Bo French is running for railroad commissioner. His racist social media post drew scathing condemnation, though not from Gov. Greg Abbott or the ethically bankrupt Senate nominee Ken Paxton.

Gavin Newsom leaves office in a few months, allowing him to devote all of his time to a 2028 presidential run. The question is whether he can sell a progressive agenda outside the comfortable confines of California.

Trump's attempts to undermine democracy has elevated the importance of election oversight. Election deniers are on the ballot in Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin and could cause mischief in 2028.

The four-seat gain Democrats need to win control once seemed all but out of reach. Odds are looking up, though the party still faces a tough path, with toss-up races in a half dozen (mostly red) states.