Steve Hilton

Why they say you should vote for them

The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.

• Promises to bring gasoline prices down to $3 a gallon and cut utility bills in half.[1],[11]
• Proposes no state income tax on the first $150,000 of earnings and abolishing the $800 minimum small business tax.[1],[11]
• Says California needs political balance after one party has run the state for many years.[10],[13]
• Pledges that every student will read by third grade and that every school will offer skills training.[1]
• Promises "starter homes for young families" by cutting fees and building rules on new homes.[1],[4]

Background

• Founder, Golden Together (policy research institute) · 2023–present[12]
• Host, The Next Revolution, Fox News Channel · 2017–2023[13],[4]
• Co-founder and CEO, Crowdpac (political crowdfunding platform) · Until 2018[12],[4]
• Director of Strategy to Prime Minister David Cameron, U.K. Prime Minister's Office · 2010–2012[12],[4]
• Co-founder, Good Business (corporate responsibility consultancy) · Late 1990s[5]

Education

• B.A., Philosophy, Politics and Economics, New College, University of Oxford[12],[3]

Where they stand

• Taxes
  Proposes no state income tax on the first $150,000 of income with a flat rate above that, halving the gas tax, and ending the $800 minimum small business tax; opposes Proposition 40, the billionaire tax.[1],[4]
• Energy & Environment
  Would end wind and solar mandates and subsidies, roll back emissions-reduction rules, and allow more natural gas production; proposes a volunteer tree-planting program.[2],[4]
• Housing
  Proposes "Ten New Cities," a $50,000 cap on government fees and regulatory costs for new homes, limits on CEQA lawsuits, and a state loan program for first-time buyers; says street camping should be treated as illegal and supports police clearing encampments.[2],[4],[6]
• Immigration
  The CalMatters voter guide reports he wants to overturn California's sanctuary law; in the Sept. 30 debate he did not say whether he would undo it, saying he would rather "turn down the temperature."[4],[6]
• Health Care
  Proposes a "Working Class Healthcare Guarantee" with upfront price transparency, health spending accounts for some low-income Medi-Cal enrollees, and reinsurance for Covered California; would end state-funded Medi-Cal for immigrants without legal status.[2],[7],[4]
• Abortion
  Says he would honor other states' requests to extradite California doctors who provide abortion medication; has called abortion an "awful, awful outcome" and said he would encourage adoption and end taxpayer funding for what he called "abortion tourism."[8],[9]
• Public Safety
  Would reverse state prison closures, reduce early releases for good conduct, and expand prison rehabilitation programs; says the state should fully implement Proposition 36.[4],[10]
• Guns
  Supports reducing restrictions on owning and using firearms; his platform includes "Restoring Second Amendment Rights in California."[4],[2]

Voting record

Steve Hilton has not held an office with a recorded voting record. See Background and Where they stand.

In their words