Hilton pledges $3 gas, 2027 homelessness fix in Oceanside rally
The Republican governor candidate addressed a crowd of early voters and cross-party supporters eight days before the election.
By Lauren Bello ·
Steve Hilton promised to drop gasoline prices to three dollars a gallon and eliminate mass homelessness in California by the end of 2027 during a rally in Oceanside. The Republican governor candidate spoke for approximately one hour to supporters eight days before the November 3 election. He framed the race as a choice between his plan for lower taxes and stricter crime enforcement and the record of his Democratic opponent, Xavier Becerra.
Hilton targeted the Tijuana River sewage issue to draw the largest response from the audience. He stated the administration would stop the flow from Mexico one way or another. The candidate also urged voters to reject what he called a bloated bureaucratic nanny-state government that bosses citizens around from morning till night.
Many attendees had already cast their ballots in the early voting period. Jerry and Terrie St. John, an Oceanside couple, said they supported Hilton because he aims to clean up streets and assist the homeless. Terrie St. John noted the state needs to return to where it should be. Diana Parkman, a resident of Vista, cited her support for increased drilling and the specific goal of three-dollar gas as key reasons for her endorsement.
The crowd included some voters from the opposing party. Kari Barrera, a Democrat, said she is taking a chance on Hilton after feeling the Democratic Party lost its focus on helping the underdog. She expressed a desire for a different direction in state leadership. Before Hilton took the stage, other Republican candidates, including Jim Desmond, addressed the group.
Xavier Becerra’s campaign responded to the rally through a statement. The spokesperson said Donald Trump drives up costs while Hilton applauds. The office argued Becerra spent the last decade making health care and prescription drugs more affordable. They added that Becerra is ready to lead California forward.
The rally took place in Oceanside, a coastal city in northern San Diego County. Hilton’s platform includes drilling for oil to lower fuel costs and reducing the state’s regulatory footprint. The candidate plans to continue his campaign tour through the final week before voters head to the polls on Tuesday.
Hilton’s opponent, Xavier Becerra, is a former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. The midterms will determine the balance of power in the state legislature and the governor's office. Hilton’s campaign has focused on economic issues and border management in recent weeks.
