Los Angeles – Republican challenger Steve Hilton is officially in the race for California governor, positioning his campaign around lower taxes, cheaper gas and reduced utility costs. The former Fox News commentator says the race is “uphill” but remains confident it is winnable, especially with President Trump’s endorsement.
Registration gap and Trump support
California’s voter rolls show registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by roughly 4.6 million, a near‑two‑to‑one advantage. President Trump, who has publicly backed Hilton, remains deeply unpopular among the state’s broader electorate, a factor Hilton acknowledges but hopes to overcome.
Policy proposals aimed at families and workers
Hilton’s platform focuses on making California more affordable for working families. Key proposals include cutting the state income tax for the first $150,000 of earnings, halving utility bills, and reducing the price of gasoline to $3 per gallon. He also calls for eliminating the Department of Motor Vehicles, arguing that the agency has become a bureaucratic burden.
He believes about a quarter of the vote is still up for grabs, targeting working‑class voters, those without a college degree, Latino communities and women who may be dissatisfied with the current administration’s policies.
Polling and the road ahead
A September poll from the University of California, Berkeley, Institute of Governmental Studies shows incumbent Democrat Xavier Becerra holding a sizable lead over Hilton. Nevertheless, the poll also indicates that roughly half of Californians feel the state is moving in the wrong direction, and a majority expect economic conditions to worsen over the next year.
Hilton’s campaign is concentrating on the Los Angeles area, the state’s Democratic stronghold, hoping to boost turnout among Republicans and swing voters.
Historical context and challenges
California has not elected a Republican to any statewide office in two decades. While the state once leaned Republican in presidential elections through the 1980s, demographic shifts, a growing immigrant population and an economy dominated by technology and entertainment have reshaped its political landscape.
Issues such as support for abortion rights, environmental protections and high housing costs remain central to the electorate, making it difficult for a GOP candidate to gain traction without a compelling alternative narrative.
What the race means for voters
Hilton frames his candidacy as a referendum on one‑party governance, arguing that Californians deserve a change after twenty years of Democratic control. He urges voters to consider the impact of high taxes, soaring home prices and record gas prices on family budgets.
While the odds are steep, the campaign’s emphasis on fiscal responsibility, parental‑rights‑friendly policies and a return to traditional values aims to resonate with voters who feel left behind by the current administration.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
