{"id":2640389,"date":"2026-08-04T14:52:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T18:52:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/steve-hilton-tries-to-pin-xavier-becerra-down-to-debate-in-california-governors-race\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T14:53:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T18:53:39","slug":"steve-hilton-tries-to-pin-xavier-becerra-down-to-debate-in-california-governors-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/steve-hilton-tries-to-pin-xavier-becerra-down-to-debate-in-california-governors-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Steve Hilton tries to pin Xavier Becerra down to debate in California governor&#8217;s race"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsteve-hilton-tries-to-pin-xavier-becerra-down-to-debate-in-california-governors-race%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2640389&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>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&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p>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&#8217;s opposition to the wealth tax contrasts with the California Democratic Party&#8217;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\u2019s 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.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Republican gubernatorial candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4638462\/steve-hilton-fcc-california-landline-plan-carr\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4638462\">Steve Hilton <\/a>is attempting to shape<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"60\"> California\u2019s<\/a> governor\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11675\">race<\/a> before it fully takes form by making televised debates an early campaign issue, challenging Democratic frontrunner <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/xavier-becerra\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1719\">Xavier Becerra<\/a> to meet him on stage as the candidates begin defining their campaigns.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4674274\/steve-hilton-xavier-becerra-debate-california-governor-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Steve Hilton tries to pin Xavier Becerra down to debate in California governor\u2019s race<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4673775\/hong-dodges-question-cancel-thanksgiving-views-can-evolve\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Hong dodges question on canceling Thanksgiving: \u2018Views can evolve\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4670006\/governor-race-replace-gretchen-whitmer-michigan\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>The race to replace Gretchen Whitmer\u00a0in Michigan<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Steve Hilton, left, and Xavier Becerra speak during a break in a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jae C. Hong)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/AP26119040886712.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Steve Hilton, left, and Xavier Becerra speak during a break in a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jae C. Hong)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/polls\/california-governor-election-polls-2026.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/polls\/california-governor-election-polls-2026.html\">most recent polling<\/a> from the Golden State, from about a month ago, gives Becerra a commanding 25-point lead over Hilton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hilton has cited <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ocregister.com\/2026\/07\/29\/what-orange-county-voters-tell-us-about-the-state-of-the-race-for-california-governor\/?utm_source=facebook&#038;utm_medium=social&#038;utm_campaign=mrf-facebook-ocregister&#038;mrfcid=202608036a6fc419a447ee21c3cb4d96\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.ocregister.com\/2026\/07\/29\/what-orange-county-voters-tell-us-about-the-state-of-the-race-for-california-governor\/?utm_source=facebook&#038;utm_medium=social&#038;utm_campaign=mrf-facebook-ocregister&#038;mrfcid=202608036a6fc419a447ee21c3cb4d96\">polling showing<\/a> a significant share of California voters remain undecided, arguing the race is still fluid despite Democrats\u2019 longstanding dominance in statewide elections. His campaign says multiple televised debates would give voters a clearer understanding of the candidates\u2019 competing visions for California.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The debate challenge comes as Becerra has sought to establish his own policy agenda ahead of the November election.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Friday, Becerra reiterated his opposition to a proposed California wealth tax targeting the state\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Becerra\u2019s opposition to the wealth tax puts him at odds with members of his own party. Over the weekend, the California Democratic Party\u2019s executive board voted to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4672434\/california-democrats-endorse-billionaire-tax-november-ballot-initiative\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4672434\">endorse Proposition 40<\/a>, a proposed one-time wealth tax on roughly 200 California billionaires.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The endorsement passed with 61% support, narrowly clearing the party\u2019s 60% threshold required for official backing after additional lobbying efforts by supporters.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s top elected officials.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFrankly, if I were in their shoes, I would be reevaluating that they are out of step,\u201d Regan said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s economy is large enough to retain most of the state\u2019s estimated 200-plus billionaires despite the new tax.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Critics, mainly within California\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Outgoing <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1426\">Gov. Gavin Newsom<\/a> (D-CA) has opposed a California-only wealth tax for years and reiterated that position after the party\u2019s endorsement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe governor has been clear that he is strongly opposed to a California-only wealth tax,\u201d Newsom spokeswoman Tara Gallegos told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cThe 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\u2019t change this measure\u2019s fundamental flaws.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Newsom has opposed a state-level wealth tax since 2020, arguing that such a proposal could reduce California\u2019s tax base by encouraging high-income residents to leave the state.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hilton seized on the Democratic divide, arguing the endorsement illustrates broader problems with one-party rule in California.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4661357\/pratt-ai-hilton-ad-people-vs-machine\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4661357\">SPENCER PRATT AI AD CREATOR MAKES AD FOR STEVE HILTON: \u2018THE PEOPLE VS THE MACHINE\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is something that captures so perfectly the stupidity and the failure of 16 years of one-party rule,\u201d Hilton told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, describing the measure as an effort by organized labor to secure additional funding.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As California\u2019s gubernatorial campaign accelerates, the debate over whether Becerra will share a stage with Hilton \u2014 and the growing divide within the Democratic Party over taxing the state\u2019s wealthiest residents \u2014 could emerge as two of the earliest tests that shape the contours of the race.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hilton pushes Becerra to debate early in CA governor race<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2640390,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26119040886712.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[37666,83668,40275,44966,45426],"class_list":["post-2640389","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-california-politics","tag-debate-confrontation","tag-gubernatorial-race","tag-steve-hilton","tag-xavier-becerra"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26119040886712.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640389","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2640389"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640389\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2640392,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640389\/revisions\/2640392"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2640390"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2640389"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2640389"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2640389"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}