Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton utilized a Tuesday town hall to challenge Democratic opponent Xavier Becerra while navigating a careful path between his Trump endorsement and California’s political climate.
Standing in the Los Angeles Times building on Tuesday. Steve Hilton sought to redefine his political identity for a state electorate that remains deeply wary of his party’s national leadership. With ballots already arriving in mailboxes for the November 3 election. the Republican gubernatorial candidate used a livestreamed town hall to challenge his Democratic opponent. Xavier Becerra. while simultaneously marking clear policy departures from the president who endorsed him.
The event. hosted by the Los Angeles Times and LAist. underscored the acute challenge Hilton faces in a state where Democratic voters are focused on neutralizing the national GOP agenda. While Hilton acknowledged the April endorsement from President Trump—a move that helped him bypass Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco in the primary—he openly identified points of friction between his platform and the White House. He cited federal funding cuts to the University of California. threats to withdraw Customs and Border Protection agents from sanctuary states. and federal acquisitions of stakes in California companies as specific areas of disagreement. Hilton anchored these critiques in a philosophy of decentralizing power. emphasizing that he intends to be a strong advocate for states’ rights.
His policy platform, dubbed “Califordable,” focuses on what he describes as the “nightmare” cost of living in California. He proposed eliminating income taxes for residents earning $150. 000 or less. slashing oil and energy industry regulations to lower gas prices to $3 per gallon. and launching a construction boom of single-family homes. including the development of 10 new cities. To pay for these measures. Hilton argued that the state should return to pre-pandemic budget levels. referencing the growth from $215 billion in 2019 to nearly $352 billion under Governor Gavin Newsom. He claimed that by ending high-speed rail funding. cutting state agencies by 5%. and eliminating healthcare for undocumented immigrants. he could save $25 billion annually.
Hilton’s housing strategy represents a sharp break from current state policy. He stated he would cease enforcing mandates that require communities to meet specific housing production goals. opting instead to focus on building in undeveloped areas. “We’ve got this attitude that the only place you can build is inside what’s currently developed,” he said. “My plan is to open that up so that we build outwards, not just upwards.”.
The candidate’s pivot toward environmentalism—while maintaining a business-friendly focus—centered on planting 3 billion trees. restoring wetlands. and utilizing geothermal energy near the Salton Sea. Sonoma. and Modoc counties. However, he remained firmly opposed to offshore wind energy. He described the potential industrialization of coastlines. specifically Morro Bay and Humboldt. as “grotesque. ” aligning himself with the Trump administration’s recent moves to pay developers to abandon U.S. wind leases.
Contradictions in the current campaign environment were on full display as Hilton addressed his opponent’s absence. He noted that he and Becerra have held only one debate on CNN. despite previous suggestions that multiple events would occur. While Hilton accused Becerra of “pulling out” of the town hall. a spokesperson for the Democratic campaign stated that the invitation was declined due to a full schedule. Hilton also pointed to potential avenues for bipartisanship. claiming agreement on specific policy points with former Democratic primary contenders including Katie Porter. Matt Mahan. and Antonio Villaraigosa.
As the contest enters its final phase, Hilton remains a candidate operating on two fronts: attempting to satisfy a base that favors his Trump-aligned platform, while signaling to a broader electorate that he is willing to diverge from Washington to prioritize California’s regional interests.
Steve Hilton California governor election Xavier Becerra California politics Trump Califordable