FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) \u2014 Neighbors packed a room for Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton as he made a final campaign stop in Fresno just days before the primary election.<\/p>\n
Hilton hosted a Q&A alongside other candidates as part of what he called \u201cthe Golden Ticket.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cVery soon we are going to make this state truly golden again.\u201d Hilton said.<\/p>\n
Hilton was asked about issues including an oil rig in Kern County, water storage, gun control and affordability. <\/p>\n
He said he would reopen the Kern County oil rig and repeatedly blamed the current state administration for what he described as California\u2019s decline. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ve got the highest poverty rate in the country, the highest unemployment rate, highest cost of living by far, gas prices, electric bills, housing. It’s just too much and I think everyone understands it’s time for change.,\u201d Hilton said.<\/p>\n
District Eight Assemblyman David Tangipa, a supporter of Hilton\u2019s campaign, introduced him at the event and thanked him for ending the campaign trail in Fresno. <\/p>\n
\u201cPeople who show up deserve the type of credit and the type of support\u201d Tangipa said. \u201cThe state’s worth fighting for and this is just a golden ticket together to fight for that state.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hilton also previewed what he described as a major announcement he planned to reveal more about tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy first executive order will be to set up a specific, dedicated criminal prosecution task force to prosecute the people who stole our money,” Hilton said. <\/p>\n
Hilton said he did not care if that includes Governor Gavin Newsom and his entire team. <\/p>\n
Hilton said he was feeling \u201cvery good\u201d leading up to Election Day and encouraged people to vote.<\/p>\n
Hilton has been battling against Democratic candidates Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer for the lead in voter polls. <\/p>\n
The primary election is set for Tuesday, June 2.<\/p>\n