(Inside California Politics) — Steve Hilton is challenging his Democratic rival to a debate, calling on Xavier Becerra to “man up and show up” to a televised showdown.
This week, the Republican gubernatorial candidate visited Sacramento to sit down with Inside California Politics host Nikki Laurenzo. When asked about his chance of victory in November, Hilton said he’s “very realistic” about the long odds — “but I don’t think it’s impossible.”
The former Fox News host argued the Becerra’s support is “soft,” citing polling that shows more than a quarter of Californians’ votes are still “up for grabs.”
He also called out the frontrunner for not agreeing to a debate despite invitations from multiple stations. (Inside California Politics parent company Nexstar, which hosted a primary debate earlier this year, has proposed a general election debate between the two candidates.)
“I think that’s outrageous,” Hilton said. “It’s our democracy; debates are a part of that. You’ve gotta see the arguments of the two candidates… It’s insulting to the voters.”
Building off a recent full-page ad in the San Francisco Chronicle, Hilton made his case to anti-Trump voters: “He’s not running for governor, I am.”
“I’m a pragmatic, problem-solving guy with business experience, government experience,” Hilton said. “I’m not an ideologue. I’m not running to tell people how to live or what to do.”
Hilton said he doesn’t regret Trump’s endorsement because he thinks it would be beneficial for the state’s governor to have a good relationship with President Donald Trump — both to make deals and to stand up to Washington.
When Laurenzo asked where he doesn’t see eye to eye with the president, Hilton said he disagrees with Trump’s wrongful assertions that he won the 2020 election.
“I’ve said very clearly that Biden won that election,” he said.
Hilton also discussed other topics, including his attacks on Becerra’s record regarding migrant children, his AI-generated campaign ads and his biggest policy promises.
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