Steve Hilton tries to pin Xavier Becerra down to debate in California governor’s race
steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for California governor, is actively pushing for televised debates with Democratic frontrunner Xavier becerra to increase his visibility and challenge Becerra to defend his record. Hilton emphasizes that voters deserve to hear directly from both candidates, especially since polls show Becerra leading significantly. Hilton’s efforts include publicly urging Becerra to debate, which could influence campaign dynamics by either pressuring becerra to engage or allowing Hilton to portray Becerra as avoiding scrutiny. The race remains fluid, with early polling favoring Becerra by 25 points.
Simultaneously occurring, Becerra continues to promote his policy agenda, opposing a proposed wealth tax targeting billionaires and a voter ID law, while supporting several ballot measures like Proposition 3 to fund education. Notably,Becerra’s opposition to the wealth tax contrasts with the California Democratic Party’s endorsement of Proposition 40,a one-time wealth tax on billionaires,reflecting internal Democratic disagreements.Supporters argue the tax would generate funds for public services despite criticism from business and tech communities worried about investment and resident flight. Outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom also opposes the wealth tax, citing concerns over potential economic drawbacks. Hilton criticizes the Democratic Party’s internal divisions and the influence of organized labor, positioning his challenge as a reflection of broader dissatisfaction with one-party rule in California. The debate over debates and wealth tax policies are seen as early influences shaping the California gubernatorial race.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton is attempting to shape California’s governor’s race before it fully takes form by making televised debates an early campaign issue, challenging Democratic frontrunner Xavier Becerra to meet him on stage as the candidates begin defining their campaigns.
Hilton has repeatedly called on Becerra to participate in televised debates, arguing voters have a right to hear directly from both candidates. The public push comes as Hilton seeks to raise his profile in a race where Becerra enters as the better-known Democrat and early frontrunner.
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By publicly pressing Becerra to debate, Hilton is seeking to portray himself as accessible while putting pressure on the Democratic candidate to defend his record before voters.
The move also presents Becerra with an early campaign decision. Agreeing to debate could give Hilton increased visibility in a race where Republicans face long odds statewide. Declining, however, could allow Hilton to argue that the Democratic frontrunner is avoiding public scrutiny. The most recent polling from the Golden State, from about a month ago, gives Becerra a commanding 25-point lead over Hilton.
Hilton has cited polling showing a significant share of California voters remain undecided, arguing the race is still fluid despite Democrats’ longstanding dominance in statewide elections. His campaign says multiple televised debates would give voters a clearer understanding of the candidates’ competing visions for California.
The debate challenge comes as Becerra has sought to establish his own policy agenda ahead of the November election.
On Friday, Becerra reiterated his opposition to a proposed California wealth tax targeting the state’s billionaires while also rejecting a voter identification proposal. At the same time, he announced support for four statewide ballot measures, including Proposition 3, which would make permanent an existing income tax surcharge on high-income Californians to fund education.
Becerra’s opposition to the wealth tax puts him at odds with members of his own party. Over the weekend, the California Democratic Party’s executive board voted to endorse Proposition 40, a proposed one-time wealth tax on roughly 200 California billionaires.
The endorsement passed with 61% support, narrowly clearing the party’s 60% threshold required for official backing after additional lobbying efforts by supporters.
Dave Regan, president of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, the union backing the initiative, said the endorsement demonstrates that Democratic activists support the proposal despite opposition from some of the state’s top elected officials.
“Frankly, if I were in their shoes, I would be reevaluating that they are out of step,” Regan said.
Supporters argue the measure would generate billions of dollars for health care, housing, and other public priorities while helping offset reductions in federal funding. They also contend California’s economy is large enough to retain most of the state’s estimated 200-plus billionaires despite the new tax.
The proposal includes provisions granting independent third-party valuations, installment payments over five years with interest, and deferred payments on illiquid assets such as privately held startup shares.
Critics, mainly within California’s technology and business communities, argue the measure could discourage investment, encourage wealthy residents to relocate, and force entrepreneurs to sell assets to meet tax obligations.
Outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) has opposed a California-only wealth tax for years and reiterated that position after the party’s endorsement.
“The governor has been clear that he is strongly opposed to a California-only wealth tax,” Newsom spokeswoman Tara Gallegos told the Washington Examiner. “The governor supports making the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share, but this poorly designed state-only measure will defund teachers, schools, clinics, and public safety. Changing the tax rate doesn’t change this measure’s fundamental flaws.”
Newsom has opposed a state-level wealth tax since 2020, arguing that such a proposal could reduce California’s tax base by encouraging high-income residents to leave the state.
Hilton seized on the Democratic divide, arguing the endorsement illustrates broader problems with one-party rule in California.
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“This is something that captures so perfectly the stupidity and the failure of 16 years of one-party rule,” Hilton told the Washington Examiner, describing the measure as an effort by organized labor to secure additional funding.
As California’s gubernatorial campaign accelerates, the debate over whether Becerra will share a stage with Hilton — and the growing divide within the Democratic Party over taxing the state’s wealthiest residents — could emerge as two of the earliest tests that shape the contours of the race.
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