# Steve Hilton *candidate · Governor · Republican* — November 3, 2026 General Election (2026-11-03), Los Angeles County, California Research pack generated 2026-10-30T23:52:30+00:00 by ballotscope. Summaries are LLM-generated from the linked originals and may contain errors; check the originals before relying on anything. Sources span 2025-04-21 to 2026-10-06. ## Overview (as of 2026-10-29, from 22 sources) Steve Hilton, a Republican, was a senior adviser to UK Prime Minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2012, moved to California in 2012, became a U.S. citizen in 2021, and hosted a weekly Fox News show from 2017 to 2023 [Steve Hilton lays out his plans to make the state 'Califordable'; Governor of California]. He has never held elected office. He launched in April 2025 blaming '15 years of Democrat one-party rule' for California's costs [Steve Hilton launches campaign for California governor], won President Trump's endorsement in April 2026 [Trump endorses Steve Hilton for California governor], and placed second in the June primary with 25% to Becerra's 28% [California Governor - November 2026 Election]. His 'Califordable' agenda centers on no state income tax on the first $150,000 with a flat 8% above it (raised in June from a $100,000/7.5% plan), halving the gas tax, more in-state oil and gas, starter homes and CEQA limits, ending state Medi-Cal for immigrants without legal status, and overturning the sanctuary law [Here's how California's next governor will change your taxes; Hilton unveils flat tax plan in Huntington Beach; Governor's race: immigrant health care; Governor of California]. He says waste and fraud cuts would pay for the tax plan, a figure his campaign compiled and interviewers disputed [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript); Hilton unveils flat tax plan in Huntington Beach]. He calls himself 'pragmatic, problem-solving, not ideological' [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)]. In the September 30 debate he accused Becerra of offering only 'Trump, Trump, Trump' [CNN gubernatorial debate coverage]. ### Record highlights - 2010-2012: senior adviser to UK Prime Minister David Cameron; 2017-2023: host of a weekly Fox News show [S18]. [Governor of California] - March 2025: published the book Califailure; founded the policy group Golden Together [S3, S12]. [Steve Hilton launches campaign for California governor; Republican Steve Hilton pitches affordability, 'change'] - 2023: championed a housing-approval ballot initiative that did not reach voters [S10]. [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] - Holds no elected office record; the sources show no votes or official decisions [S18, S22]. [Governor of California; Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton clash over key issues in California gubernatorial debate] ### Stated positions - Taxes: April-May 2026, no state income tax under $100,000 and a flat 7.5% above (his own estimate: about $60 billion less revenue) [S7, S8, S10]; from June 2026, no tax on the first $150,000 and a flat 8% above, with savings he puts at $5,855 at $150,000 income [S14, S18]. [Here's how California's next governor will change your taxes; Transcript: Steve Hilton on All-In podcast; Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript); Hilton unveils flat tax plan in Huntington Beach; Governor of California] - Paying for it: cut 'waste and fraud and abuse,' which his campaign estimates at $425 billion over five years, and cancel high-speed rail; he conceded the estimate is 'not one official source' and that the flat tax 'will need to be negotiated' [S10, S22]. [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript); Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton clash over key issues in California gubernatorial debate] - Energy: expand in-state oil and gas by executive action through permits, roll back clean-energy mandates; calls himself 'an environmentalist' but sees no evidence state climate policy affects global temperatures [S9, S12, S18]. [Steve Hilton lays out his plans to make the state 'Califordable'; Republican Steve Hilton pitches affordability, 'change'; Governor of California] - Housing: 'bring back the starter home' with lower fees, a first-time-buyer loan program and CEQA limits; build 10 new cities on undeveloped land [S10, S18, S19]. [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript); Governor of California; CNN gubernatorial debate coverage] - Immigration: end state Medi-Cal for immigrants without legal status and redirect the money; overturn the sanctuary law and not 'obstruct' federal enforcement, while preferring to 'turn down the temperature' [S10, S15, S18, S19]. [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript); Governor's race: immigrant health care; Governor of California; CNN gubernatorial debate coverage] - Trump: 'I didn't ask for the president's endorsement'; a cooperative relationship would help California on energy, forests and fraud; in May 2026 he named no disagreements with Trump's California policies [S9, S10]. [Steve Hilton lays out his plans to make the state 'Califordable'; Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] - Public safety and schools: reopen closed prisons, reduce early release, treat street camping as illegal; phonics, third-grade retention and private-school choice [S18]. [Governor of California] ### Where sources disagree - Waste and fraud: Hilton's campaign estimates $425 billion over five years [S8, S10]; LAist's interviewer challenged it as not from an official source [S10], and ABC7 notes he did not specify the spending he considers wasteful [S12]. [Transcript: Steve Hilton on All-In podcast; Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript); Republican Steve Hilton pitches affordability, 'change'] - Economic claims: Hilton says California has the highest unemployment of all 50 states and roads ranked '50th out of 50'; the LAist interviewer disputed these, citing 5.4% BLS unemployment [S10]. [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] - Immigration: CalMatters reports he praised the deportation campaign as 'perfect' in January 2026 and also calls himself 'pro-immigration,' and dodged debate questions on undoing the sanctuary law [S19]; CalMatters' guide lists overturning it as his position [S18]. [Governor of California; CNN gubernatorial debate coverage] ### Gaps - No candidate statement in the official voter guide [S1]. - No elected-office record; his UK government work is not detailed in the sources. - No independent cost estimate of the $150,000 tax plan beyond one economist's comment [S14]. - No full debate transcript; debate coverage is in takeaway form. - No concrete proposals to lower health-care costs, per CalMatters [S18]. ### Arguments for / praise - One-party Democratic rule produced high costs; 'California today is what you get when Democrats get everything they want,' and only an outsider represents 'real change.' — *Steve Hilton* [California governor debate: rivals gang up on Democratic frontrunner Becerra; Steve Hilton says California is 'desperate for change'] - 'The quickest way to get more money in people's pockets is for the government to take less out.' — *Steve Hilton* [Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton clash over key issues in California gubernatorial debate] - 'He will be a GREAT Governor,' and federal help would follow. — *Donald Trump* [Trump endorses Steve Hilton for California governor] - Has 'a couple of good ideas,' such as limiting CEQA lawsuits against housing. — *GrowSF* [California Governor - November 2026 Election] ### Arguments against / criticism - The tax plan has no stated offsetting cuts; the needed cuts would be 'almost one-third of the budget,' and a flat rate for families at $160,000 and millionaires 'might be a difficult sell.' — *Raymond Sfeir (Chapman University), GrowSF* [Hilton unveils flat tax plan in Huntington Beach; California Governor - November 2026 Election] - He called for an audit of the 2020 election, promoted a theory blaming Fauci for the pandemic, and would roll back climate rules and repeal the sanctuary law. — *GrowSF* [California Governor - November 2026 Election] - His plans mean 'Trump results,' including tax cuts for the wealthiest; Becerra says he has 'never served' or 'balanced a budget.' — *Xavier Becerra* [CNN gubernatorial debate coverage; Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton clash over key issues in California gubernatorial debate] - Building on undeveloped land would raise carbon emissions. — *Matt Mahan* [California governor debate: rivals gang up on Democratic frontrunner Becerra] - Ending coverage for immigrants without legal status is 'an us vs. them' message. — *Roger Salazar* [Governor's race: immigrant health care] ## Analysis of their own words (as of 2026-10-28) Coverage: Read 21 primary-kind samples dated 2025-04 to 2026-10: one full edited interview transcript (S10, LAist, May 7, 2026); a machine-generated podcast transcript without speaker labels (S12, All-In, read through roughly the first 26,000 of 70,000 characters; only passages clearly in his voice are used); news write-ups of interviews with excerpted quotes (S6, S7, S8, S13, and S16, a paywalled Q&A of which only the opening is stored); five accounts of the Sept. 30, 2026 CNN general-election debate (S1, S3, S4, S5; S2 republishes S5) and one of the May 14, 2026 primary debate (S9); and his campaign-launch press release (S15). S11 is a photo gallery, S14 a blurb with no transcript, and S17–S21 are campaign policy pages whose stored text is only the site title, so none of these contain his words. Missing: the text of his campaign policy plans (including the revised $150,000 tax plan), any op-ed he wrote, questionnaire answers (the Secretary of State statement is blank), a full general-election debate transcript, and his prior Fox News commentary. He has held no public office, so there is no official record of decisions. On the evidence, Hilton's expressed views are conservative on taxes, regulation, energy and immigration enforcement, with populist framing on cost of living. He proposes eliminating state income tax on lower and middle incomes with a flat rate above (S10, S12), cutting spending by targeting what he calls waste and fraud (S10, S12), expanding in-state oil production and rolling back climate rules (S8, S10), and building on undeveloped land rather than favoring density (S10, S5). On immigration he says he would not obstruct federal enforcement and opposes reliance on workers without legal status (S10), while in the general-election debate he declined to say whether he would undo the sanctuary law (S5). He cites Margaret Thatcher as an inspiration (S12) and favors cooperation with the Trump administration (S10, S8, S6). He describes himself as pragmatic and non-ideological (S10); that is his self-description rather than a finding here. Articulation: **mixed**. Prepared material (S15) is clear and structured around a slogan ("Great Jobs. Great Homes. Great Kids.") with unsourced statistics. In unscripted speech (S10, S12) he is fluent and unusually specific on his tax plan, giving thresholds, rates, the estimated revenue loss ("about an 18.5% reduction") and a fallback to prioritize the $100,000 exemption, and he explains a legislative path. His command of facts is contested within the samples: the LAist host challenged his $425 billion waste figure, his road-cost and road-quality claims, and his unemployment characterization, and Hilton acknowledged the waste figure is "not one official source" (S10). Responsiveness is weak on several direct questions: he repeatedly would not answer yes or no on whether Trump lost in 2020 (S10), refused a yes-or-no on regulating AI chatbots for children (S9), named no disagreement with Trump when asked (S10), and, per CalMatters, dodged whether he would undo the sanctuary law (S5). The comedic SF Standard interview (S6) shows shaky knowledge of everyday prices, though the format limits what it shows. Consistency: **adequate**. From his April 2025 launch (S15, S16) through the September 2026 debate (S1, S4, S5) he is consistent in blaming 16 years of Democratic control, in prioritizing tax cuts and deregulation, and in favoring cooperation with the Trump administration. His tax plan changed from a $100,000 exemption with a 7.5% flat rate (S10, S12) to a $150,000 exemption with an 8% rate, but the later version appears in this collection only in other people's descriptions (S5 and non-primary sources), not in his own words, so it is not recorded as a quoted shift. His tone on Trump's endorsement moved from naming no disagreements in May (S10) to saying an endorsement does not mean supporting everything about the endorser (S6, paraphrased by the Standard); CalMatters reports he later ran ads telling voters they can dislike Trump and still support him (S5). No explanation of the tax-plan revision appears in these samples. - State income tax: As of spring 2026: no state income tax below $100,000 and a flat 7.5% rate above, paid for by spending cuts; he would prioritize the first part if necessary. Later coverage in this collection (not his own words) describes a revised $150,000 threshold. - "And so my plan starts with eliminating state income tax for everyone earning below $100,000." [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-05-08) - "I think of it as pro-worker and pro-growth." [Transcript: Steve Hilton on All-In podcast] (2026-04-29) - "And basically the cost of that in total is about an 18.5% reduction in revenue" [Transcript: Steve Hilton on All-In podcast] (2026-04-29) - "The first thing we have to do is cut taxes, because that's the most direct thing that you can do to make life more affordable for Californians," [Republican Steve Hilton pitches affordability, 'change'] (2026-05-19) - Spending, waste and fraud: Says spending can be cut by eliminating waste, fraud and abuse that his campaign estimates at $425 billion over five years, and by getting better value from infrastructure spending; says the budget details would be negotiated. - "Our estimate of that is that over the last five years we've had $425 billion of waste, fraud, and abuse." [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-05-08) - "It's compiled from official sources. You're right that it's not one official source" [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-05-08) - "That's the process of putting together and negotiating a budget." [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-05-08) - "The quickest way to get more money in people's pockets is for the government to take less out." [Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton clash over key issues in California gubernatorial debate] (2026-10-01) - Energy and gas prices: Expand in-state oil and gas production, which he says he could do through executive permitting without the Legislature (S8); news write-ups also describe a $3 gas goal and rolling back climate rules, not quoted here. - "There are other things you can do as governor directly through the executive branch that don't require the Legislature," [Republican Steve Hilton pitches affordability, 'change'] (2026-05-19) - Housing: Cut impact fees, challenge the emphasis on density, and build starter homes and new development on undeveloped land. - "I think we do need to challenge this ideology of density" [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-05-08) - "We have got so much space that we could be building in," [CNN gubernatorial debate coverage] (2026-09-30) - Immigration enforcement: Would not obstruct federal enforcement and says California should not depend on workers without legal status; in the general-election debate he preferred to "turn down the temperature" rather than say whether he would undo the sanctuary law. - "would you actively obstruct the enforcement of the law that was made by Congress and is being enforced by the government that Americans elected, and my answer to that is no." [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-05-08) - "we shouldn't keep depending on the importing of illegal immigrant workers when we have millions of Californians who could be working but aren't." [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-05-08) - "turn down the temperature" [CNN gubernatorial debate coverage] (2026-09-30) - Relationship with President Trump: Did not seek Trump's endorsement but welcomes it and argues cooperation would benefit California; named no policy disagreements when asked in May 2026; calls the state's lawsuits against the administration too antagonistic. - "The first thing I'd say is that I didn't ask for his endorsement." [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-05-08) - "Most of the policies that he's pursuing in respect of California I think would be very helpful to us." [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-05-08) - "I think it's really good for our state to have a governor who has a good relationship with the president," [Republican Steve Hilton pitches affordability, 'change'] (2026-05-19) - "It’s just a waste of energy. … It’s too antagonistic. You’ve got to work together better." [Six things we learned from our weird interview with Steve Hilton] (2026-09-18) - Welfare and work: Says welfare should help those in real need and that able-bodied people should work. - "I think the point of welfare should be to help those in real need rather than to subsidize those who actually could be taking care of themselves." [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-05-08) - Artificial intelligence: Declined to support stricter regulation of AI chatbots for children in a yes-or-no format; in the general-election debate said safety should be the priority, by companies or by regulation. - "it’s not as simple as that" [California governor debate: rivals gang up on Democratic frontrunner Becerra] (2026-05-15) - "I want to make sure that the priority for these companies is safety. Making their product safer, whether that's done by them or we need regulations," [Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton clash over key issues in California gubernatorial debate] (2026-10-01) - The 2020 election: Says Joe Biden was the certified winner but repeatedly declined to say yes or no to whether Trump lost, calling the election "very messed up." - "So Joe Biden was clearly the certified winner of the election, but I think it's also true that 2020 election was a very unusual, very messed up election." [Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)] (2026-05-08) - Unions and governing approach: Casts public-sector unions as a dominant force to be confronted, and says he would use executive powers to appoint, fire and direct officials. - "California reminds me of 1970s Britain – we need to elect people who are not puppets of the unions," [Steve Hilton interview: running for California governor] (2026-03-28) - "can appoint people, fire people and direct them in a certain ways." [Steve Hilton interview: running for California governor] (2026-03-28) Limitations: Only one full transcript of his unscripted speech is from a clearly labeled source (S10); the All-In transcript lacks speaker labels and was partly read. His campaign policy pages could not be retrieved as text, so his written plans, including the current tax plan, are not analyzed. Several samples are write-ups by outlets with a viewpoint (Fox News, The Spectator) or in a comedic format (S6). He has no record in office to compare with his words. This analysis does not evaluate the accuracy of his factual claims. ## Timeline (newest first) - **2026-10-06** — Published: Steve Hilton lays out his agenda for California and San Francisco (Axios San Francisco) - **2026-10-01** — Published: Hilton vs. Becerra: Top 3 Moments From the California Governor Debate (The Daily Signal) - **2026-10-01** — Published: Becerra, Hilton only scheduled debate: Trump main topic (LAist) - **2026-10-01** — Published: In Becerra and Hilton's only scheduled debate, Trump was the main character (KQED) - **2026-10-01** — Published: Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton clash over key issues in California gubernatorial debate (ABC30) - **2026-09-30** — Published: CNN gubernatorial debate coverage (CalMatters) - **2026-09-30** — CNN gubernatorial debate between Becerra and Hilton in Burbank (CalMatters) - **2026-09-30** — CNN gubernatorial debate (ABC30) - **2026-09-29** — Published: Governor of California (CalMatters) - **2026-09-29** — Published: Ahead of Wednesday's CNN debate, Steve Hilton talks California issues with GV Wire (GV Wire) - **2026-09-24** — Published: California Governor - November 2026 Election (GrowSF) - **2026-09-24** — GrowSF guide last updated (GrowSF) - **2026-09-18** — Published: Six things we learned from our weird interview with Steve Hilton (San Francisco Standard) - **2026-09-18** — SF Standard publishes comedy interview with Hilton (San Francisco Standard) - **2026-08-07** — Published: 'Trump's Lapdog' vs. 'Government Failure': Hilton, Becerra Trade Insults in Statements to the Daily Signal (The Daily Signal) - **2026-07-30** — Published: '319,000 Missing Immigrant Children': Hilton Revives Becerra's Biggest Failure (The Daily Signal) - **2026-07-12** — Published: Governor's race: immigrant health care (Times of San Diego / KFF Health News) - **2026-06-17** — Published: Hilton unveils flat tax plan in Huntington Beach (MyNewsLA) - **2026-06-07** — Published: Steve Hilton says California is 'desperate for change' (Fox News) - **2026-06-07** — Hilton appears on Fox & Friends Weekend after the primary (Fox News) - **2026-06-02** — Hilton posts Facebook video pledging to end coverage for immigrants without legal status (Times of San Diego / KFF Health News) - **2026-06** — Primary: Becerra 28%, Hilton 25% (per GrowSF) (GrowSF) - **2026-06** — Becerra places first in the all-party primary (CalMatters) - **2026-05-19** — Published: Republican Steve Hilton pitches affordability, 'change' (ABC7 News) - **2026-05-15** — Published: California governor debate: rivals gang up on Democratic frontrunner Becerra (LAist) - **2026-05-14** — Final primary debate in San Francisco (LAist) - **2026-05-14** — Dana Williamson pleads guilty in Becerra campaign-account case (LAist) - **2026-05-14** — Newsom proposes restricting some corporate tax credits in his budget (LAist) - **2026-05-08** — Published: Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript) (LAist) - **2026-05-07** — Hilton interviewed live on LAist AirTalk (LAist) - **2026-05-06** — Published: Steve Hilton lays out his plans to make the state 'Califordable' (KPBS) - **2026-05** — Becerra defends coverage in a debate and in an OC Register questionnaire (Times of San Diego / KFF Health News) - **2026-05** — Hilton interviewed by ABC7 at a San Jose campaign stop (ABC7 News) - **2026-04-29** — Published: Transcript: Steve Hilton on All-In podcast (All-In podcast (HappyScribe transcript)) - **2026-04-28** — CBS LA gubernatorial debate at Pomona College (photo caption) (KPBS) - **2026-04-14** — Published: Here's how California's next governor will change your taxes (LAist) - **2026-04-06** — Published: Trump endorses Steve Hilton for California governor (NBC Los Angeles) - **2026-04-04** — Hilton and Chad Bianco debate at the Lincoln Club of Coachella Valley (LAist) - **2026-04** — Trump endorses Hilton (per GrowSF) (GrowSF) - **2026-04** — Trump endorses Hilton on Truth Social (NBC Los Angeles) - **2026-03-28** — Published: Steve Hilton interview: running for California governor (The Spectator) - **2026-02-05** — Published: Former Fox News host Steve Hilton lays out vision for California governorship (KQED) - **2026-01-22** — Hilton interviewed on KQED Political Breakdown (KQED) - **2025-07-28** — Published: Politically unstable California needs Republican governor (The Washington Times) - **2025-04-22** — Published: Steve Hilton launches campaign for California governor (PRWeb (Hilton campaign)) - **2025-04-22** — Hilton launches campaign for governor in Huntington Beach (PRWeb (Hilton campaign)) - **2025-04-21** — Published: Steve Hilton: California faces life (The Free Press) - **2025-04-21** — Hilton announces his candidacy for governor in a Free Press interview (The Free Press) - **2025-04** — Hilton launches campaign for governor (The Spectator) - **2025-03** — Hilton publishes Califailure (PRWeb (Hilton campaign)) - **2025** — Newsom and legislative leaders freeze Medi-Cal enrollment for adults without legal status (Times of San Diego / KFF Health News) - **2023** — Hilton championed a housing-approval ballot initiative that did not reach voters (per interviewer) (LAist) - **2021** — Hilton becomes a U.S. citizen (The Spectator) - **2015** — Start of the cap-and-trade solar program Hilton's CalDOGE report examines (per Hilton) (All-In podcast (HappyScribe transcript)) ## Sources ### Steve Hilton lays out his agenda for California and San Francisco - Axios San Francisco · interview · published 2026-10-06 · stance: neutral - ### Hilton vs. Becerra: Top 3 Moments From the California Governor Debate - The Daily Signal · debate · published 2026-10-01 · stance: unknown - ### Becerra, Hilton only scheduled debate: Trump main topic - LAist · debate · published 2026-10-01 · stance: neutral - LAist account of the Sept. 30, 2026 CNN debate in Burbank between Hilton and Xavier Becerra, moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. It reports that Hilton blamed Newsom and California Democrats for high costs and accused Becerra of offering no concrete solutions, while Becerra repeatedly tied Hilton to Trump. The article is a CalMatters story by Jeanne Kuang, republished. - Hilton: "All you ever say is 'Trump, Trump, Trump,'" calling it "an insult to every Californian who is desperate for something to change." - Hilton proposed building 10 new cities and allowing more construction on undeveloped land: "We have got so much space that we could be building in." - CalMatters reports Hilton dodged questions on undoing the sanctuary law, saying he would prefer to "turn down the temperature"; it notes he praised the deportation campaign as "perfect" on Fox News in January and has called himself "pro-immigration." - Hilton cited reports that Becerra's Biden cabinet colleagues "described (Becerra) as an idiot." - Trump endorsed Hilton in the primary; CalMatters says Hilton has since run ads telling voters they can dislike Trump and still support him. - Becerra: "You're going to end up with Trump results if you follow Steve Hilton's plans," criticizing Hilton's tax plan as also cutting taxes for the wealthiest. - Both support expanding the state film tax credit; asked who was in charge as film jobs left, Becerra said "Donald Trump" and Hilton said "The Democrats." - Reference: Hilton praising deportation campaign (Fox News video) - Reference: CalMatters: Trump blocked homelessness funding - Reference: CalMatters: Hilton advances in primary - Reference: Original CalMatters article ### In Becerra and Hilton's only scheduled debate, Trump was the main character - KQED · debate · published 2026-10-01 · stance: neutral - KQED account of the Sept. 30, 2026 CNN debate in Burbank between Hilton and Xavier Becerra, moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. It reports that Hilton blamed Newsom and California Democrats for high costs and accused Becerra of offering no concrete solutions, while Becerra repeatedly tied Hilton to Trump. The article is a CalMatters story by Jeanne Kuang, republished. - Hilton: "All you ever say is 'Trump, Trump, Trump,'" calling it "an insult to every Californian who is desperate for something to change." - Hilton proposed building 10 new cities and allowing more construction on undeveloped land: "We have got so much space that we could be building in." - CalMatters reports Hilton dodged questions on undoing the sanctuary law, saying he would prefer to "turn down the temperature"; it notes he praised the deportation campaign as "perfect" on Fox News in January and has called himself "pro-immigration." - Hilton cited reports that Becerra's Biden cabinet colleagues "described (Becerra) as an idiot." - Trump endorsed Hilton in the primary; CalMatters says Hilton has since run ads telling voters they can dislike Trump and still support him. - Becerra: "You're going to end up with Trump results if you follow Steve Hilton's plans," criticizing Hilton's tax plan as also cutting taxes for the wealthiest. - Both support expanding the state film tax credit; asked who was in charge as film jobs left, Becerra said "Donald Trump" and Hilton said "The Democrats." ### Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton clash over key issues in California gubernatorial debate - ABC30 · debate · published 2026-10-01 · stance: neutral - ABC30 Fresno account of the Sept. 30, 2026 CNN debate, with quotes from both candidates on government, experience, taxes, AI data centers and gas prices. - Hilton: California's spirit "is being crushed by this bloated, badly-run, bureaucratic government that Xavier has been a part of." - Becerra: "you can't do it with someone who's never served, with someone who's never balanced a budget." - Hilton opened by thanking CNN "for bringing Xavier out of hiding." - Hilton said tax relief would come from "Canceling high-speed rail." - Becerra (per ABC30) said data centers that only "rob their energy and electricity, and their water" are "not a good deal"; Hilton said safety should be AI companies' priority, "whether that's done by them or we need regulations." - On gas, Hilton pressed Becerra for the national average price; Becerra answered "Two dollars more than it was when Donald Trump started the war in Iran." ### CNN gubernatorial debate coverage - CalMatters · debate · published 2026-09-30 · stance: neutral - CalMatters account of the Sept. 30, 2026 CNN debate in Burbank between Hilton and Xavier Becerra, moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. It reports that Hilton blamed Newsom and California Democrats for high costs and accused Becerra of offering no concrete solutions, while Becerra repeatedly tied Hilton to Trump. - Hilton: "All you ever say is 'Trump, Trump, Trump,'" calling it "an insult to every Californian who is desperate for something to change." - Hilton proposed building 10 new cities and allowing more construction on undeveloped land: "We have got so much space that we could be building in." - CalMatters reports Hilton dodged questions on undoing the sanctuary law, saying he would prefer to "turn down the temperature"; it notes he praised the deportation campaign as "perfect" on Fox News in January and has called himself "pro-immigration." - Hilton cited reports that Becerra's Biden cabinet colleagues "described (Becerra) as an idiot." - Trump endorsed Hilton in the primary; CalMatters says Hilton has since run ads telling voters they can dislike Trump and still support him. - Becerra: "You're going to end up with Trump results if you follow Steve Hilton's plans," criticizing Hilton's tax plan as also cutting taxes for the wealthiest. - Both support expanding the state film tax credit; asked who was in charge as film jobs left, Becerra said "Donald Trump" and Hilton said "The Democrats." - Reference: Hilton praising deportation campaign (Fox News video) - Reference: CalMatters: Trump blocked homelessness funding - Reference: CalMatters: Hilton advances in primary - Reference: CalMatters Becerra profile (Aug. 2026) - Reference: CalMatters voter guide: governor ### Governor of California - CalMatters · voter guide · published 2026-09-29 · stance: neutral - CalMatters' nonpartisan 2026 voter guide page for governor, describing both candidates' backgrounds and positions issue by issue (economy, taxes, housing, homelessness, climate, Trump, justice, health care, tech and AI, education), with endorsements and links to candidate profiles. - Background: senior adviser to UK Prime Minister David Cameron 2010–2012, co-founder of a political crowdfunding platform, author, and host of a weekly Fox News show 2017–2023. - Taxes: eliminate state income tax on the first $150,000 with a flat rate above; halve the gas tax; eliminate the $800 business registration fee; opposes Proposition 40. - Housing: "bring back the starter home" by reducing fees and rules for small single-family homes, a state loan program for first-time buyers, and limits on CEQA lawsuits. - Homelessness: considers street camping categorically illegal and wants police involved in clearing encampments; would fund sober housing. - Climate and energy: roll back clean-energy mandates, end requirements to buy solar and wind power, allow more natural gas production. - Justice and immigration: reopen closed prisons, reduce good-conduct early release, overturn the sanctuary law, reduce firearm restrictions. - Health care: end state Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented immigrants and redirect the money; CalMatters says he has not proposed concrete policies to lower costs. - AI and education: declines to back AI regulations; supports phonics, third-grade retention, charter conversions and public funds for private-school choice; opposes the law on transgender athletes. - Becerra's contrasting positions are summarized side by side on each issue. - Reference: CalMatters Becerra profile (Aug. 20, 2026) - Reference: CalMatters Hilton profile (July 6, 2026) - Reference: CalMatters: Becerra and Hilton health-care plans (Sept. 28, 2026) - Reference: California Faculty Association dual endorsement - Reference: Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California endorses Becerra - Reference: CalMatters: Trump endorses Hilton ### Ahead of Wednesday's CNN debate, Steve Hilton talks California issues with GV Wire - GV Wire · interview · published 2026-09-29 · stance: neutral - ### California Governor - November 2026 Election - GrowSF · endorsement · published 2026-09-24 · stance: support - GrowSF, a San Francisco advocacy group, recommends Xavier Becerra over Steve Hilton in its November 2026 guide (last updated Sept. 24, 2026). It credits Hilton with "a couple of good ideas," such as limiting CEQA lawsuits against housing, but criticizes his past statements on Fox News, his tax plan's unexplained cost, his climate-rule rollbacks and his lack of elected experience. Neither candidate returned GrowSF's questionnaire. - GrowSF recommends Becerra. - On Becerra: as AG he sued the first Trump administration 120 times, filed the state's first lawsuit against a city over housing planning, broke with Newsom to vote for Prop 36, opposes the billionaire tax, and says he would declare a housing emergency on day one and fund nearly 40,000 approved subsidized homes. - GrowSF says Becerra has treated his poll lead "as a reason to say as little as possible" and quotes him: "I would prefer not to run on inflated promises. I will run on my record." - On Hilton: GrowSF says he called for an audit of the 2020 election, promoted a theory blaming Dr. Anthony Fauci for the pandemic, was endorsed by Trump in April, would repeal the sanctuary law, and would roll back climate rules. - GrowSF says Hilton's plan to end state income tax on the first $150,000 with a flat 8% above it has no stated offsetting cuts, a gap a Chapman University economist put at almost a third of the state budget. - Reference: Becerra housing priorities page - Reference: SoS June 2026 primary statement of vote summary - Reference: CalMatters Becerra profile - Reference: CalMatters Hilton profile - Reference: KESQ: Hilton unveils flat-tax plan - Reference: CalMatters voter guide: governor ### Six things we learned from our weird interview with Steve Hilton - San Francisco Standard · interview · published 2026-09-18 · stance: neutral - A comedic San Francisco Standard interview of Hilton by comedy correspondent Sophia Garrow, summarized as six takeaways, touching on his barefoot habits, prices of everyday items, transgender athletes, California's lawsuits against the Trump administration, Charlie Kirk and Trump's endorsement. - Hilton guessed bus drivers earn $110,000 (the Standard says about $56,000) and underestimated the governor's salary by $130,000. - He believes trans girls should not compete in girls' athletics, but said a governor isn't "weighing in on everything and running everything." - On California's roughly 60 lawsuits against the Trump administration: "It's just a waste of energy... It's too antagonistic," and the Standard says he would support dropping them all; on specific suits he said he is pro-mail-in voting and had not looked at the data-sharing case. - He called Charlie Kirk a close friend and said Trump's endorsement was "a complete surprise," adding an endorsement does not mean supporting everything about the endorser. - Reference: Full interview video - Reference: CalMatters: mail-in voting lawsuit - Reference: AG Bonta suit over Medicaid/SNAP data sharing - Reference: CalMatters: Hilton plan to abolish the DMV ### 'Trump's Lapdog' vs. 'Government Failure': Hilton, Becerra Trade Insults in Statements to the Daily Signal - The Daily Signal · news · published 2026-08-07 · stance: unknown - ### '319,000 Missing Immigrant Children': Hilton Revives Becerra's Biggest Failure - The Daily Signal · news · published 2026-07-30 · stance: oppose - ### Governor's race: immigrant health care - Times of San Diego / KFF Health News · news · published 2026-07-12 · stance: neutral - KFF Health News reporting (republished by Times of San Diego) on the candidates' opposing positions on state-funded Medi-Cal coverage for immigrants without legal status, with budget and polling context. Becerra would keep the coverage; Hilton would end it. - Becerra said in a May debate: "It would be foolish to tell a family that they don't have access to the pediatrician or the family doc." - Becerra wrote in an Orange County Register questionnaire: "Stop treating coverage as a budget variable that expands in good years and contracts when revenue dips." - Becerra objected in 2025 when Newsom and legislators froze enrollment for adults without legal status, cut benefits and imposed premiums; he has vowed new revenue such as higher taxes on corporations and the wealthiest. - Hilton, in a June 2 Facebook video: "Stop taking money from California taxpayers who can barely afford their healthcare to give free healthcare to citizens of other countries who shouldn't even be here." - Hilton promised to use the savings to lower health costs for others "without detailing how"; neither campaign responded to KFF. - Reference: CNN transcript, May 5, 2026 debate segment - Reference: OC Register Becerra candidate questionnaire - Reference: Hilton Facebook video on ending coverage - Reference: LAO report on Medi-Cal cost - Reference: LAO fiscal outlook warning - Reference: Senate budget summary (2026 Budget Act) - Reference: PPIC June 2025 statewide survey ### Hilton unveils flat tax plan in Huntington Beach - MyNewsLA · news · published 2026-06-17 · stance: neutral - MyNewsLA (City News Service) report on Hilton unveiling a revised flat-tax plan at a Huntington Beach news conference: no state income tax on the first $150,000 and a flat 8% above it, with an economist's skepticism about how it would be paid for. - The plan would eliminate state income tax for families earning $150,000 or less and apply an 8% rate above that. - Hilton claimed savings of $551 at $50,000 income, $2,385 at $100,000, $5,855 at $150,000 and $7,329 at $200,000. - Hilton tied the event to Sacramento tax increases: "The corrupt system that Xavier Becerra is part of and supports just increased taxes again." - Hilton did not specify savings to offset revenue, saying he was confident he could find enough waste. - Chapman University economist Raymond Sfeir said the cuts needed would be "almost one-third of the budget." ### Steve Hilton says California is 'desperate for change' - Fox News · interview · published 2026-06-07 · stance: neutral - A Fox News Digital write-up of Hilton's appearance on "Fox & Friends Weekend" as primary votes were being counted, in which he blamed 16 years of Democratic control for California's costs. - Hilton: "California today is what you get when Democrats get everything they want." - "They've had 16 years to show us that their ideas can work, and they've had nothing stopping them." - He said he was confident of finishing in the top two and called Tom Steyer "the billionaire climate fanatic." - Reference: Fox News: Hilton ad mocking Becerra's '36 years' ### Republican Steve Hilton pitches affordability, 'change' - ABC7 News · interview · published 2026-05-19 · stance: neutral - ABC7 San Francisco story on a one-on-one interview with Hilton during a San Jose campaign stop before the primary, centered on affordability, government reform, what he could do by executive action, and Trump's endorsement. - Hilton: "I think everyone knows it's time for change in California." - His platform as reported: no state income tax on the first $100,000, expanded oil production and refinery capacity, and more single-family homes. - "The first thing we have to do is cut taxes, because that's the most direct thing that you can do." - He acknowledged tax cuts need the Legislature but said he could expand oil production through CalGEM permits by executive action. - ABC7 notes he did not specify all the spending he considers wasteful. - On Trump: "I think it's really good for our state to have a governor who has a good relationship with the president." ### California governor debate: rivals gang up on Democratic frontrunner Becerra - LAist · debate · published 2026-05-15 · stance: neutral - CalMatters takeaways (republished by LAist) from the May 14, 2026 final primary debate in San Francisco, where rivals focused attacks on frontrunner Becerra and Hilton declined to answer yes or no on stricter regulation of AI chatbots for children. - Rivals attacked Becerra over a Chevron contribution, his performance at a housing forum, hospice fraud during his HHS tenure, and the guilty plea that day of former strategist Dana Williamson in the campaign-account theft case. - Katie Porter pressed "What is Mr. Becerra's revenue plan?"; Becerra pointed to restricting some corporations' use of tax credits, an idea Newsom proposed that day. - Becerra: "This is what happens when you take the lead in the polls... They all come at you," and cited a prosecutor's statement that "no candidate running for governor has been implicated." - Asked if he could guarantee the case would not be a distraction, Becerra said "I can." - On regulating AI chatbots that interact with children, Hilton refused a yes-or-no: "it's not as simple as that" and "It causes problems that are unintended." - Hilton said of himself and Chad Bianco: "Only two of us actually represent real change." - Reference: CalMatters: Williamson plea deal - Reference: CalMatters: housing forum - Reference: Original CalMatters article ### Steve Hilton talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript) - LAist · interview · published 2026-05-08 · stance: neutral - LAist's edited transcript of AirTalk host Austin Cross's live interview with Hilton on May 7, 2026, covering his background, his view of what has gone wrong in California, how his tax plan would be paid for, Trump's endorsement, immigration enforcement, welfare, housing, and whether Trump lost the 2020 election. - Hilton describes himself as "pretty pragmatic, problem-solving, not ideological" and says he is fighting for "working people, working families, and small business." - His tax plan at the time: eliminate state income tax below $100,000 and a flat 7.5% above; the interviewer cites the campaign's own $60–65 billion revenue-loss figure. - He says it would be paid for by cutting "waste and fraud and abuse," which his campaign estimates at $425 billion over five years (about $80 billion a year), compiled from several official sources; he acknowledges it is "not one official source." - He says the first part (no tax under $100,000) might be prioritized and the flat tax "clearly will need to be negotiated." - On Trump's endorsement: "I didn't ask for his endorsement," and a good relationship with the president would help California; asked for disagreements, he named none and said most of Trump's California-related policies "would be very helpful to us." - On immigration he says he would not "actively obstruct the enforcement of the law" and argues California should not depend on "importing of illegal immigrant workers" when millions could work but don't. - On 2020, he says "Joe Biden was clearly the certified winner" but repeatedly declines to say yes or no to whether Trump lost, calling the election "very messed up" and "designed for partisan advantage by Democrats." - On housing he proposes cutting impact fees, challenging "this ideology of density," and building starter homes of about 1,000 square feet. - Reference: Companion transcript: Katie Porter - Reference: Companion transcript: Matt Mahan ### Steve Hilton lays out his plans to make the state 'Califordable' - KPBS · news · published 2026-05-06 · stance: neutral - KPBS Insight host Vicki Gonzalez's edited Q&A interview with Hilton before the June 2026 primary, covering why he became American, his first-year affordability agenda, climate policy, working with a Democratic legislature, Trump's endorsement, immigration enforcement, and the top-two primary. - Hilton summarizes his agenda as "Califordable": "Three-dollar gas, cut your electric bills in half, your first $100,000 tax-free, a home you can afford to buy." - He says he would act on day one through appointments and executive orders to expand in-state oil and gas production and increase water deliveries to farmers. - On climate: "I think of myself as an environmentalist," but says he can see no evidence that California's climate policies are affecting global temperatures. - "I'm a pragmatist; I'm not an ideologue, I'm not tribal," citing Katie Porter's adoption of his $100,000 exemption idea. - On Trump's endorsement: "I didn't ask for the president's endorsement," but a good relationship would help on energy, forest management and fraud. - On immigration: he cites Obama-era enforcement as a model and wants "a governor that doesn't get in the way" of federal enforcement and "lowers the temperature," blaming sanctuary policy for confrontations. - He warned that predictions of two Republicans advancing were "a fantasy" and urged Republicans to unite behind him. ### Transcript: Steve Hilton on All-In podcast - All-In podcast (HappyScribe transcript) · interview · published 2026-04-29 · stance: unknown - An automated HappyScribe transcript of Hilton's long-form interview on the All-In podcast (hosts including Jason Calacanis and David Sacks), recorded during the primary. The portion read covers his family background, political influences such as Margaret Thatcher, his original tax plan, his "CalDOGE" fraud reports, and how he would work with a Democratic legislature. - Hilton describes his parents as Hungarian refugees from communism, and says Margaret Thatcher's focus on "business and enterprise and hard work" inspired him. - He likens California to 1970s Britain: union dominance, "a sclerotic economy," and high taxation. - He says he renounced his UK citizenship to be "all in." - Tax plan at the time: no state income tax up to $100,000 and a 7.5% flat tax above, which he estimates cuts revenue about 18.5%, roughly $60 billion, returning the budget to about pre-pandemic levels; he says the math was done with Hoover Institution economists. - He describes "CalDOGE" reports with state controller candidate Herb Morgan, including a claim that $928 million of $1 billion in a cap-and-trade solar program went to nonprofits, and estimates $425 billion in waste, fraud and abuse over five years. - He acknowledges tax changes require the Legislature and cites Katie Porter's endorsement of the $100,000 exemption as a sign of possible consensus, as well as his coalition-government experience in Downing Street. ### Here's how California's next governor will change your taxes - LAist · news · published 2026-04-14 · stance: neutral - KQED reporting (republished by LAist) comparing primary-season tax proposals of the leading governor candidates in April 2026, including Hilton's then-current plan: no state income tax on earnings under $100,000, a flat 7.5% above that, and eliminating the $800 minimum franchise tax. - Hilton argued the budget has nearly doubled since 2017 and that the cost of doing business drives poverty and higher taxes. - Hilton's April 2026 plan: no state income tax under $100,000, flat 7.5% above; eliminate the roughly $800 minimum franchise tax; oppose changes to Proposition 13. - Hilton believes the tax cuts will grow the economy and could raise revenue. - None of the leading candidates indicated which programs they would cut to offset lost revenue. - Porter, Steyer, Bianco, Mahan and Thurmond plans are also described; Becerra is not discussed. - Reference: FTB: $800 minimum franchise tax - Reference: State income tax filer data (PIT annual report 2024) ### Trump endorses Steve Hilton for California governor - NBC Los Angeles · endorsement · published 2026-04-06 · stance: support - NBC Los Angeles report that President Trump endorsed Hilton for governor on Truth Social on April 5–6, 2026, with the response of rival Republican Chad Bianco and March polling. - Trump wrote: "Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT. He will be a GREAT Governor and, importantly, WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!!!" - Bianco responded that the race "is about the future of California, not any one endorsement." - A March UC Berkeley IGS poll showed Hilton at 17% and Bianco at 16%. - Reference: NBC LA NewsConference: Hilton on changes he'd bring ### Steve Hilton interview: running for California governor - The Spectator · interview · published 2026-03-28 · stance: neutral - A Spectator feature by Ben Clerkin following Hilton on the primary campaign trail, with quotes on why he is running, Britain, Trump, Iran, governing by executive order, unions, and his "Golden Ticket" slate with attorney general candidate Michael Gates and lieutenant governor candidate Gloria Romero. - Hilton: "I don't want this state that I love to become the country I left." - He wants to make California "Califordable" by cutting taxes, lowering gas costs, reversing green policies, boosting housebuilding and cutting regulation and fraud. - The Spectator reports he plans to rule by executive order given Democratic supermajorities; he says he "can appoint people, fire people and direct them in a certain ways." - At a Santa Ana town hall: "California reminds me of 1970s Britain – we need to elect people who are not puppets of the unions," and "The most powerful force in California is not oil or tobacco, it's the teachers' union." - He praised Trump's "moral clarity" on Iran and called Trump "a pragmatist." - He says winning "will be difficult, but not impossible." ### Former Fox News host Steve Hilton lays out vision for California governorship - KQED · interview · published 2026-02-05 · stance: neutral - A KQED Political Breakdown episode page for Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos's Jan. 22, 2026 conversation with Hilton. The page text is a short description; the interview itself is audio and is not transcribed here. - KQED says Hilton argues California would benefit from his "strong ties with and cooperative approach to the Trump administration." - KQED says Hilton argues the state has been broken by one-party Democratic rule. - The episode covers his upbringing as the son of Hungarian immigrants, budgeting, education, housing, homelessness and relations with the Trump administration. ### Politically unstable California needs Republican governor - The Washington Times · other · published 2025-07-28 · stance: unknown - ### Steve Hilton launches campaign for California governor - PRWeb (Hilton campaign) · position statement · published 2025-04-22 · stance: support - The Hilton campaign's press release announcing his campaign launch in Huntington Beach on April 22, 2025, with his launch remarks pledging to make California "Golden Again" around "Great Jobs. Great Homes. Great Kids." - Hilton: "It's now or never for California. That's why I'm running for governor." - He attributes the highest poverty, unemployment and housing costs and the worst business climate to "15 years of Democrat one-party rule." - He compares California to 1970s Britain, "the 'sick man of America.'" - He pledges to cut taxes for working people, stop "the insane bureaucracy," and fix schools where less than half of students meet English standards and about a third meet math standards. - Reference: Hilton campaign website ### Steve Hilton: California faces life - The Free Press · position statement · published 2025-04-21 · stance: neutral - The Free Press's paywalled Q&A by Batya Ungar-Sargon in which Hilton first announced he was running for governor. Only the opening exchange is available in the stored text. - Hilton: "You are the first person to hear this from me officially: I am running for governor of California in 2026." - He says California was "Literally the best place on Earth" when he moved in 2012 but has "gone so badly offtrack," especially for working people. - The headline quotes him: "It's Now or Never for California." ### https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/candidates/governor-candidate-statements.htm - Unknown publisher · other · published undated · stance: not_applicable - The California Secretary of State's Official Voter Information Guide page of governor candidate statements. It lists Steve Hilton (Republican) and states "No candidate statement." for him; the other listed candidate also submitted no statement. The page also describes the governor's duties. - Steve Hilton is listed as a Republican candidate for governor. - No candidate statement was submitted by Steve Hilton. - The governor oversees most state departments and agencies, appoints judges, proposes and approves or vetoes legislation, submits the annual budget, and directs state resources in emergencies. - Reference: SoS voter guide: all candidates ### Hilton Launches CALIFORDABLE Campaign - Steve Hilton for Governor · position statement · published undated · stance: support - ### A Califordable Tax Plan - Steve Hilton for Governor · position statement · published undated · stance: support - ### Bring Back the Starter Home in California - Steve Hilton for Governor · position statement · published undated · stance: support - ### Califordable: Newsom's VMT Bombshell - Steve Hilton for Governor · position statement · published undated · stance: support - ## Suggested use Ask me neutral questions about this subject using the material above. Distinguish what the sources say from your own background knowledge, cite the source titles you rely on, and say when information may be out of date given the dates shown.