California’s governor’s race is increasingly becoming a test of whether voters are seeing a genuine Democratic campaign—or being asked to approve the Sacramento political establishment’s preferred candidate.
Republican candidate Steve Hilton accused Xavier Becerra of avoiding voters and relying on Democratic support instead of making his own case during a Wednesday event in West Sacramento.
“Xavier Becerra is not running for governor. He is waiting to be handed the job,” Hilton said. He accused Becerra of “coasting, smirking, and treating the largest state in the country like a retirement present he already earned.”
Hilton, who says he has campaigned in all 58 California counties, made his case against Becerra at Sacramento’s White Cactus Event Hall.
He argued that Californians were confronting serious challenges while Becerra was campaigning as if the governorship had already been secured.
“He will be nothing but a figurehead and rubber stamp for the same old cronies who have ruined our state,” Hilton said.
Hilton’s criticism came as Becerra held a commanding lead in the polls.
A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll released Sept. 24 found Becerra 25 points ahead of Hilton. That margin had grown from 18 points in August, when Becerra led 55% to 37%. Among the 4,512 registered voters surveyed, 9% remained undecided.
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“Becerra thinks he’s owed this job just because he was picked as a useful puppet by the Sacramento machine,” Hilton said at Wednesday’s rally. “I’ve lost count of the number of Democrat politicians and powerbrokers who have told me that Becerra was chosen precisely because he’s an empty suit that they can control.”
The Republican’s challenge comes in a state that has not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served from Nov. 17, 2003, through Jan. 3, 2011.
Becerra and Hilton held only one televised general-election debate, on Sept. 30 at CNN’s Burbank studios. It was the sole scheduled debate between the candidates before the Nov. 3 election.
Becerra also missed a separate proposed event this week, prompting critics to accuse him of “dodging” or backing out of a promised Los Angeles Times debate on Tuesday. Becerra’s campaign said it had never formally agreed to take part, according to The Times.
“I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve heard the phrase, ‘We invited Xavier Becerra to join us but because of a scheduling conflict he wasn’t able to be with us today,’” Hilton said, drawing attention to his rival’s absence. “What’s the conflict? He doesn’t seem to have anything scheduled at all. What an insult to every Californian.”
Hilton also criticized Becerra over statements about his family history. During the CNN debate, Becerra said, “My parents came to California with $12 in their pocket,” and has repeatedly referred to himself as the “son of immigrants.”
Hilton later accused Becerra of “immigrant stolen valor” and dishonesty, citing genealogy and obituary records that he said indicate Becerra’s late father, Manuel, was born in Sacramento and was therefore a US citizen by birth. Those claims remain accusations.
The Republican also renewed attacks on Becerra’s tenure as Health and Human Services secretary, citing reported disputes with former administration officials, including Susan Rice.
More broadly, Hilton aimed his criticism at California’s Democratic establishment, pointing to the state’s high cost of living, homelessness, artificial intelligence and preparations for the Los Angeles Olympics.
