SANTA CLARA, Calif. (Diya TV) – Steve Hilton, the Republican nominee for California governor, told Diya TV’s Ravi Kapur on “The Public Interest” that voters want a break from one-party Democratic rule and that lower taxes, cheaper gas and cheaper homes can win him the office. Public polls show him trailing Democrat Xavier Becerra by double digits ahead of the November 3rd election.
A Public Policy Institute of California poll put Becerra at 60% and Hilton at 38% among likely voters. A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll conducted Sept. 15-20 found Becerra at 58% and Hilton at 33%. An internal survey commissioned by Hilton’s campaign and taken Oct. 1-2 showed Becerra ahead 45.7% to 40.1%.
Hilton said he is running a practical campaign rather than a partisan one. “I’m running a campaign which is not ideological. It’s not particularly partisan. It’s positive practical things that will help people,” he said.
His centerpiece is a tax cut. The plan would eliminate state income tax on the first $150,000 of income and apply an 8% rate above that. “The quickest way to put more money in people’s pockets is for the government to take less out,” Hilton said.
On gas prices, he said more in-state oil production could bring the price down. “We can get it down to $3 gas,” he said. UC Berkeley energy expert Andrew Campbell said more production would not be enough to push prices below $3 without addressing the war with Iran.
On housing, Hilton said government fees, taxes, and regulations add $132,000 to a new California home. “My plan will cap that at 30,000,” he said. The figure matches a June National Association of Home Builders study of regulatory costs for a typical new home nationwide.
Asked how he would work with a Democratic legislature, Hilton pointed to the governor’s executive powers. “Many of these things that are driving up the cost of everything are coming from the executive branch,” he said.
Hilton also said government policy caused the Palisades fire. “The Palisades fire was entirely caused by government policy and mismanagement,” he said. Investigators believe a fire intentionally set on New Year’s Day reignited as the Palisades Fire, and the man accused of setting it, Jonathan Rinderknecht, has pleaded not guilty.
On immigration, Hilton said the issue is outside a governor’s control. “Immigration policy is not one of those things. It’s entirely federal,” he said.
Asked about Indian American voters, Hilton said: “I absolutely love India.” He added, “You will never have had a governor who is closer to and more committed to India than me.”
Becerra’s platform focuses on reining in housing and utility prices, and he has made fighting President Donald Trump a prominent part of his campaign.
