Steve Hilton closes campaign in Oceanside with tax and policing pledges
The Republican gubernatorial candidate pledged to end mass homelessness by 2027 and cut gas prices to $3.
By Andrew Bennett ·
Republican candidate Steve Hilton spoke for approximately one hour at an Oceanside rally on Tuesday, October 27.
The event marked his final public appearance before the November 3 election. Hilton addressed a crowd of supporters, taking time to pose for photographs with attendees.
Hilton outlined a platform focused on reducing taxes, lowering gas prices, and increasing law enforcement efforts. He pledged to eliminate mass homelessness in California by the end of 2027.
The candidate criticized his opponent, Xavier Becerra, for continuing existing state policies. "Have you had enough of this bloated bureaucratic nanny-state government bossing us around from morning till night," Hilton said.
The rally drew the loudest applause when Hilton addressed the Tijuana River sewage issue. "We will stop the sewage from Mexico one way or another," he stated.
Several attendees said they had already voted early. Terrie St. John, from Oceanside, said she supports Hilton’s focus on cleaning up streets and assisting homeless individuals. "I like the fact that he wants to clean up the streets and help the homeless and start to have the state get back to where it should be," St. John said.
Diana Parkman, from Vista, cited her long-term support for Hilton’s views on oil drilling. She noted that she supports his goal of bringing gas prices down to three dollars a gallon.
Kari Barrera, a Democrat in the crowd, said she was voting for Hilton because she felt the Democratic Party no longer represented its traditional base. "We used to be a party united in one cause which was helping the underdog, and I'm not seeing that anymore," Barrera said.
Becerra’s campaign responded to the rally by criticizing Hilton’s alignment with President Donald Trump. A spokesperson for Becerra said, "Donald Trump keeps driving up costs, and his lapdog Steve Hilton keeps applauding. Xavier Becerra spent the last decade making health care and prescription drugs more affordable. Becerra is ready to lead California forward."
Hilton was joined on stage by other Republican candidates, including state controller contender Jim Desmond and candidates for lieutenant governor.
Voters will cast ballots for the California governor's race on Tuesday, November 3.
