Steve Hilton

Republican · Governor, California
General election Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026

← California Governor race · All California races

Steve Hilton

Republican · Candidate for Governor, California

Hilton received a bachelor's degree from Oxford University.

Also running: Xavier Becerra (D)

Where Hilton stands

REDUCE TAXES FOR WORKERS AND END THE BUREAUCRATIC WAR ON BUSINESS

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Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia

PRO-WORKER, PRO-GROWTH TAX REDUCTION

California has a completely unaffordable cost of living, driven by the highest taxes in America and the highest prices for housing, rent, electricity, and water. As governor my priority will be to help working people by reducing their taxes:
Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia

RETURN TO SENSIBLE SPENDING

Reducing taxes, which is urgent, will require a more sensible approach to spending. Over the last decade, government spending has more than doubled in California – from $161 billion in 2015/16 to $322 billion in 2025/26. Even after taking account of inflation, the budget has gone up by 50%. And it’s still going up!
Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia

CAP HIDDEN HOUSING TAXES

Most people don’t realize that a huge (and rising) part of the cost of housing is directly imposed by state and local government in the form of “Impact Fees” – charges that are supposed to cover the local “impact” of housing development. These have risen to astronomical levels: the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at UC Berkeley estimates that fees can now make up nearly 20% of the typical house price.
Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia

RESTORE THE CALIFORNIA DREAM OF A SINGLE FAMILY HOME FOR EVERY FAMILY

For generations, when people pictured the American Dream, it was the California Dream: a home of your own, in a safe neighborhood, with a yard where your kids could play. It’s hard to imagine now, but there was a time when California had the most affordable homes in the country.
Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia

VISION FOR CALIFORNIA

A good job, where you make enough to raise your family in a home of your own in a safe neighborhood with a good school so your kids have a better life than you. Great jobs, great homes, great kids. Reduce taxes for workers and end the bureaucratic war on business
Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia

Position history

Extraditing a California abortion provider to Louisiana

  1. May 2026 (Primary debate, arguing a governor must honor other states' laws)
    This is not about abortion. This about one state trying to undermine another state's laws.
  2. Jul 31, 2026 ("The Morning Answer" radio show)
    Quoted in news coverage: “I've got a completely new approach instead of Sacramento forcing this onto communities, I want communities to build the housing that meets their needs.” (cbsnews.com)

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