Controversial Ad Sparks Backlash for Steve Hilton in California Governor Race
Republican candidate Steve Hilton, running for the position of California governor, is under scrutiny for a campaign advertisement. The ad is described as sexually suggestive and provocative, as he competes with Democrat Xavier Becerra in the final month of the election campaign.
The advertisement features two young women sitting on a bed with an LGBTQ+ flag displayed behind them. The narrative unfolds with one woman appearing nervous about trying something new while the other reassures her. The scenario reveals they are discussing voting. The second woman guides her companion to vote for Hilton rather than Becerra and instructs her to seal the mail-in ballot envelope.
The ad has drawn criticism from various political figures. Michael Gates, the Republican candidate for attorney general, publicly condemned the campaign’s approach. He stated, “I want to be clear: I do not condone Steve Hilton’s ‘Just Try It’ video. My campaign was not consulted, nor alerted to its release. I emphatically denounce the use of young women as a political tool. California families deserve better, and as AG, I will fight every day to protect our girls, young women, and parental rights. I guarantee it.”
Sonja Shaw, running for state superintendent of public instruction, issued even stronger criticism. She attacked Hilton and the California Republican Party for supporting the ad, labeling it as “creepy, weird, disturbing garbage.” She claimed it exemplified why some members were leaving the party.
Democratic Representative Robert Garcia described the ad as “bizarre and desperate” in comments to the Los Angeles Times. He suggested Hilton was “more interested in AI slop than actually discussing issues Californians care about.”
Hilton defended his ad in a Los Angeles Times interview. He described it as a provocative and humorous method of communication to emphasize a point.
What the Polls Show
The controversy arises during a challenging period for Hilton, who previously hosted Fox News and advised British Prime Minister David Cameron. Hilton, a supporter of President Donald Trump, aims to become California’s first Republican governor in two decades.
Polls consistently show Becerra leading Hilton in California. According to a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll conducted from September 15 to 20 with 4,512 likely voters, Becerra leads by 25 points, 58 percent to Hilton’s 33 percent, with a 2-point margin of error.
This margin widened from Berkeley’s previous August survey, which had Becerra at 55 percent and Hilton at 37 percent. A SurveyUSA poll in the same timeframe reported Becerra with 55 percent and Hilton with 33 percent among 742 likely voters, and a 4.6-point margin of error. Another September survey indicated Becerra at 54 percent and Hilton at 36 percent.
The Public Policy Institute of California found similar results. Their September 4-10 survey of 1,103 likely voters showed Becerra with 60 percent support versus Hilton’s 38 percent, with a 3.8-point margin of error.
Despite this, Hilton continues to promote his campaign, urging voters to reject Democratic leadership in Sacramento. His campaign focuses on affordability, taxes, and living costs. During a recent debate with Becerra, Hilton argued against the political status quo, while Becerra associated him with Trump.
Prediction markets reflect Becerra’s strong chances of winning the upcoming November election. As of Sunday, Polymarket recorded a 96 percent probability for Becerra’s victory compared to Hilton’s 4 percent.
Becerra has consistently maintained a strong lead according to general-election surveys by RealClearPolling. The election will take place on November 3. Hilton and Becerra debated issues such as taxes, immigration, and artificial intelligence on September 30.