Tag

California Governor Race

All articles tagged with #california governor race

politics3 days ago•21 min saved

Hilton's Suggestive 'Just Try It' Ad Sparks Backlash Among California Republicans

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton released a sexually suggestive ad titled 'Just Try It, California' to court liberal voters, but the move triggered sharp criticism from conservative allies. The ad, which features two women in a dimly lit room with a Pride flag, uses sexual innuendo to encourage mail-in voting for Hilton. While Hilton argues the tactic is necessary to break through in a deep-blue state, figures like Sonja Shaw and Michael Gates condemned it as 'creepy' and 'disturbing.' The controversy highlights a strategic rift within the California GOP, as Hilton trails Democrat Xavier Becerra by a wide margin in polls.

via CalMatters|

#2026-midterms #california-governor-race #campaign-ads

$Hilton's viral 'Just Try It' ad fractures GOP coalition in California governor's race$

politics5 days ago•6 min saved

Hilton's viral 'Just Try It' ad fractures GOP coalition in California governor's race

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton released a sexually suggestive ad featuring two women to reach voters who might otherwise avoid Republican candidates. The spot, which has garnered millions of views, has triggered a split in the Republican coalition, with some allies condemning it as exploitative while others defend it as a creative outreach strategy. Hilton trails Democrat Xavier Becerra by a significant margin in recent polls.

via latimes.com|

#2026-midterms #california-governor-race #campaign-ads

politics8 days ago•8 min saved

Becerra dominates California governor debate, leaving Hilton’s Trump-tied strategy ineffective

In a 60-minute CNN debate in Burbank, Democrat Xavier Becerra was widely viewed as the clear winner over Republican Steve Hilton. While Hilton attempted to link California’s issues to Democratic rule, analysts noted he failed to distance himself from President Trump. Becerra, though criticized for lacking a forward-looking vision, effectively defended his record and maintained his significant polling lead ahead of the November 3 election.

via Los Angeles Times|

#2026-midterms #california-governor-race #cnn-debate

politics29 days ago•1 min saved

Trump-backed candidate proposes abolishing California DMV and implementing a flat car fee

A Trump-backed California gubernatorial candidate, Steve Hilton, pledges to abolish the state’s DMV and replace car registration with a flat $73 annual fee, plus moving many functions online and shifting title/plate tasks to counties. The plan faces likely insurmountable legal hurdles in a Democratic-led legislature and has drawn safety-oversight criticisms, making passage unlikely even as Hilton trails in polls.

via theguardian.com|

#bureaucracy #california-dmv #california-governor-race

politics1 month ago•7 min saved

Hilton pledges to abolish the DMV and cap car fees at $73 if elected governor

Republican Steve Hilton proposes eliminating the California DMV and capping annual vehicle registration at $73, arguing it would cut the cost of living. The plan would require Democratic supermajorities in the Legislature and would slash DMV revenue from about $11–$12 billion to roughly $2.7 billion; Hilton says he would offset the gap with 10% staffing cuts and 5% agency-budget reductions, and could use budget leverage or an executive order if lawmakers balk. Democrats led by Xavier Becerra oppose the move, while Hilton seeks to persuade lawmakers to back the proposal.

via Los Angeles Times|

#becerra #california-governor-race #dmv

politics4 months ago•12 min saved

Trump-backed Hilton advances to CA governor showdown with Becerra

Trump-endorsed Steve Hilton clinched a top spot in California’s gubernatorial primary and will face Democrat Xavier Becerra in November, setting up a high-stakes race pitting Hilton’s tax-cutting, MAGA-aligned stance against Becerra’s immigrant protections and long government record. Billionaire Tom Steyer finished third and urged Californians to unite behind Becerra. Early tallies gave Becerra a slight edge over Hilton, highlighting a sharp policy contrast as the two veterans prepare for the general election.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california-governor-race #california-primary-results #politics

politics4 months ago•3 min saved

Trump-backed Steve Hilton advances to November in California governor race

Trump-backed British-born strategist Steve Hilton advanced to California’s November governor race by finishing in the top two in the nonpartisan primary, setting up a contest against Democrat Xavier Becerra; Hilton led early counts but late mail ballots shifted momentum to Becerra, illustrating the uphill path Hilton faces in a heavily Democratic state.

via The Guardian|

#california-governor-race #nonpartisan-primary #politics

politics4 months ago•3 min saved

Hilton Seeks Upset as Becerra Heads California Governor’s Race

Republican Steve Hilton advances to the California governor’s race general election to face Democrat Xavier Becerra; with 88% of votes counted, Becerra leads Hilton 28% to 25%, while Steyer is roughly at 23% and Chad Bianco remains in double digits. Because California relies on mail-in ballots, results could take weeks, helping Hilton as he enters a race in a state that has not elected a Republican governor in 20 years; Hilton is Trump-endorsed and contends with a rising Becerra in a Democratic-leaning state.

via NBC News|

#california #california-governor-race #politics

politics4 months ago•5 min saved

Becerra’s unlikely comeback reshapes California’s governor race

Xavier Becerra, who started the California governor race with weak polling and little excitement, surged to the top after former Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out amid misconduct allegations, leveraging his resume, Latino background, and working-class appeal to bolster support and advance to the general election. If he wins in November, he would be California’s first Latino governor since 1875, but the final lineup remains unsettled as ballots continue to be tallied and the top-two race solidifies against possible opponents like Hilton or Steyer.

via The Guardian|

#california-governor-race #eric-swalwell #latino-voters

politics4 months ago•10 min saved

Becerra clinches runoff spot, poised to become California’s first elected Latino governor

Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra clinched one of the top two spots in California’s gubernatorial primary, setting up a November showdown with Republican Steve Hilton and potentially making him the state’s first elected Latino governor, in a race shaped by Swalwell’s scandal fallout and California’s top-two primary system.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california-governor-race #latino-representation #politics

politics4 months ago•20 min saved

California primary night: Becerra, Hilton lead governor race as LA mayor contest tightens

Live CBS News updates show early momentum for Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton in the California governor race, with Spencer Pratt challenging Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral contest; Porter concedes not advancing, while Scott Wiener and Derek Tran are projected to advance in their congressional races as results continue and more ballots are counted over the coming days.

via CBS News|

#california #california-governor-race #california-primary-2026

politics4 months ago•7 min saved

Becerra's unlikely ascent shakes up California's governor race

Xavier Becerra jumped from a late entrant to the frontrunner in California's governor race after Eric Swalwell dropped out amid misconduct allegations, aided by a major ad buy and a calm, experience-focused message. A recent UC Berkeley/LA Times poll puts him at 25% with Hilton at 21% and Steyer at 19%, signaling a dramatic shift as the primary nears. His surge has been linked by some to an organic social-media push—though a Steyer-linked report cited a network of fake accounts amplifying Becerra online, which his campaign denies. Supporters emphasize his long government record and steadiness, while rivals contend the momentum could reverse.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california-governor-race #eric-swalwell #politics

politics4 months ago•7 min saved

UK political disruptor Steve Hilton targets California governor’s runoff

Steve Hilton, once a central figure in David Cameron’s rise and a later Fox News host, is vying for a top-two slot in California’s gubernatorial primary, potentially breaking new ground for a British strategist in U.S. politics. Polls have him near or tied with Democrat Xavier Becerra, and even if he loses in November, advancing to the runoff would give him a platform to push his disruption-focused agenda. Critics question whether his campaign success translates into effective governance, while supporters argue his unorthodox approach could shake up California’s entrenched politics.

via politico.eu|

#california-governor-race #california-primary #david-cameron

california-politics4 months ago•10 min saved

California’s 2026 governor race grapples with immigration and housing costs

With the June 2 primary looming, candidates outline markedly different strategies on immigration, housing and affordability: Xavier Becerra champions immigrant protections and housing affordability measures; Chad Bianco pushes hardline immigration enforcement and deregulation of building rules; Steve Hilton backs CEQA reform and tax relief to accelerate housing; Tom Steyer seeks to curb ICE’s power and overhaul housing regulations; Katie Porter supports sanctuary policies and aggressive housing incentives; Matt Mahan promotes cheaper, faster construction; Tony Thurmond envisions millions of new homes on surplus land plus homelessness services; Antonio Villaraigosa pushes CEQA reform and expanded permanent supportive housing via Homekey; alongside varied approaches to entertainment-industry incentives and data transparency, the race highlights California’s ongoing tradeoffs between immigrant protections, housing supply and cost of living.

via Los Angeles Times|

#affordability #california-governor-race #california-politics

politics4 months ago•2 min saved

Becerra tops CA governor poll as Hilton narrows gap ahead of primary

A PPIC poll ahead of California's June 2 primary shows Xavier Becerra at 23% and Steve Hilton at 20%, followed by Tom Steyer at 15%, Chad Bianco at 13%, and Katie Porter at 12%; no other candidates reach double digits. The top two vote-getters will advance to November, and while two Democrats could still win, current momentum favors Becerra and Hilton.

via ABC7 Los Angeles|

#california-governor-race #politics #ppic-poll