Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton visited Laguna Niguel in Orange County on September 13 to meet with volunteers from the grassroots organization “Reform California.” With 51 days left until the election on November 3, volunteers are preparing to distribute unofficial voter guides.
In the primary election in June, Hilton and Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra emerged victorious with 24.6% and 28.0% of the vote respectively, out of over 60 candidates. Both are confirmed to participate in the gubernatorial debate hosted by CNN on the 30th. Hilton, a former advisor to UK Prime Minister David Cameron and a former Stanford University teacher and Fox News host, is facing off against Becerra, who served as California’s Attorney General and later as the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Biden administration.
At various events, Hilton has been asked, “Are you confident of winning?” especially after high-profile Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt failed to advance to the November election. Hilton responded, “We truly have a chance to take back California this year. In the primary, I received around 2.3 million votes, representing a quarter of the total. We are working hard to campaign, explain our plans to the public, including lowering oil prices, reducing taxes, reforming the California Department of Motor Vehicles, and lowering registration fees.”
“We aim to defeat the corrupt and declining political machine that holds power, feeling complacent and arrogant in thinking they can hold power indefinitely,” Hilton said. Despite polls favoring Becerra, Hilton mentioned that the gap is gradually narrowing. He also criticized a recent in-depth report by the Los Angeles Times revealing $50 million in campaign funding for Becerra, sourced from large corporations, unions, and interest groups expecting benefits from his potential governorship.
“Running for governor is a tough battle, not to be taken lightly, but it’s one we can win,” Hilton declared. “The work you all are doing today is crucial, let’s work together towards our goal.”
“Reform California” is advocating for Proposition 39, which requires voters to present identification when voting in person; mail-in ballots must include the last 4 digits of their ID, and the legislation also mandates the annual disclosure of the percentage of each county’s verified citizen voters.
In July, one of the initiators of this proposal and chairman of “Reform California,” as well as State Assemblyman for the 75th District Carl DeMaio, criticized the last-minute modifications made by the California Attorney General to the title and summary of Proposition 39 on the ballot, which he deemed as misleading to voters. On the 13th, a large number of volunteers were preparing to distribute voter guides, including Proposition 39 and Proposition 43. Proposition 43 requires tax increase measures by certain local governments to receive approval from over two-thirds of voters.
Starting at noon, volunteers were busy hand-addressing envelopes, inserting voter guides, affixing stamps, and ensuring they reach voters before the election; the guides will provide detailed annotations on the various propositions, including Prop 39.
Resident Harvey Cabrera stated, “I support Prop 39. First, it ensures the fairness of elections, eradicating doubts and ensuring that every vote cast is genuine; secondly, it enhances everyone’s civic awareness, safeguarding our responsibility to participate in the voting process.” ◇