Steve Hilton sharply criticizes abuse by ICE agents in Los Angeles and highlights the tragic deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, underscoring his call for peaceful enforcement of federal laws.
Steve Hilton, the Republican candidate for Governor of California, argues that the state’s government must be fundamentally reformed to address core issues.
He cites the poverty rate, unemployment, and the high cost of living.
About 4.6 million Californians—11.8% of the population—live below the federal poverty line. But with high living and housing costs, up to 13 million, or 17–20% of residents, live in or near poverty.
In April 2026, California’s unemployment rate was 5.3 percent, unchanged from the previous month. The state lost 3,300 non-farm payroll jobs, according to data from two Employment Development Department surveys. March’s payrolls were revised up by 8,800, resulting in a total gain of 37,500 jobs that month.
Hawaii, California, and Massachusetts have the highest cost of living, driven by high housing costs, heavy taxes, and high consumer prices. Manhattan is the most expensive urban area.
“In most states, the cost of registering your vehicle annually is $100 or less, and I will not raise that figure. My proposal consists of a flat registration fee of $71 per person per year for their vehicle,” promises the candidate endorsed by Donald Trump. “These would be the specific measures for immediate implementation.”
In the long term, Hilton asserts he would work to reverse “harmful energy policies,” aiming to bring gasoline prices to $3 per gallon, cut electricity bills by half, and reduce housing costs.
“Those goals will take a little more time,” he notes. “The most direct path to achieving them is to cut taxes.”
Stephen Glenn Charles Hilton, born August 25, 1969, is a British American conservative political commentator, former political advisor, Fox News contributor, and supporter of Donald Trump. He served as Director of Strategy for British Prime Minister David Cameron between 2010 and 2012.
During an immigration briefing hosted by American Community Media (ACoM), Hilton noted that he advocates for legal immigration and the peaceful enforcement of federal laws, while criticizing the current system’s reliance on undocumented workers.
However, among all the topics discussed, the founder of “Golden Together” declined to comment on national-level immigration reform. Instead, he chose to focus exclusively on state laws, marking a shift in the discussion.
California’s immigrant communities shape its economy and identity, yet immigration policy is polarized nationally.
You have criticized California’s approach to immigration enforcement and border policy. How would your administration address immigration differently—particularly regarding cooperation with federal authorities, undocumented workers who have resided in California for years, and access to education and healthcare services for immigrant families?
“I have clearly stated that I am a candidate from the legal immigrant community, and for the legal immigrant community,” he replied. “Many people are being denied access to the basic rungs of that ‘ladder of opportunity’ that we wish to see for our immigrant communities here in California.”
“I grew up in a working-class immigrant household in England; I know exactly what that means. My stepfather was also Hungarian and worked in construction; that was my childhood—helping, earning a little extra money. On construction sites… my first job was as a project manager for a construction firm, and so on. Therefore, I understand this deeply.”
He noted that immigration policy is set by the federal government, not the governor.
“And I fully agree with all the arguments that Democrats have put forward in recent years regarding the importance of respecting election results and not undermining democracy,” he added. “The results of the last presidential election were truly clear: a candidate [Donald Trump], a [Republican] candidate, won every swing state and secured the popular vote on a platform with a clear stance on immigration policy.
He emphasized, “Now the administration implements the people’s verdict.”
Recently, immigration policy has become a focal point for the administration, including increased deportations.
In 2025, immigration agents detained over half a million undocumented immigrants, and they currently conduct 1,200 detentions per day.
Trump had campaigned on the promise of one million deportations per year.
“The question for the next governor is: Will you actively work against the results of the 2024 elections regarding immigration policy, or not? In reality—realistically speaking—I do not consider that to be an option at all if one wishes to remain true to the principles of upholding the Constitution and the rule of law: namely, obstructing the enforcement of federal law—which is, precisely, what immigration policy entails.”
Hilton explained the difference Californians would see under his governorship. Rather than adopting a confrontational approach—which has led to scenes many wish to avoid (such as those witnessed in Los Angeles last summer, or worse, in Minneapolis earlier this year)—he aims to prevent such outcomes in California.
Hilton was referring to acts of brutality and excessive force committed by masked ICE agents, as well as the killings of American activists Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. This clarifies the incidents motivating his approach, maintaining a consistent tone.
“That will not happen while I am governor, for we will adopt an approach based on the premise that all laws must be enforced peacefully; “…and we will not obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws,” he affirmed.
Given that you support the enforcement measures adopted by President Trump against immigrants, what will be your approach as governor? After all, data indicate that around 70% of agricultural workers are undocumented. Will you or your administration cooperate with deportations? And, if so, what will become of California’s multi-billion-dollar agricultural industry?
“First, I would not characterize the administration’s approach as a stance ‘against’ immigrants. Of course, every year we welcome a large number of legal immigrants to the United States, and I fully support that reality. We are in favor of immigration, but it must be legal immigration.”
“Secondly, I have spent a great deal of time in our state’s agricultural regions—learning from and engaging with farmers, workers—specifically field workers—and others involved in agricultural operations. We all agree that it is not healthy for our society to have such a significant segment of it dependent upon the violation of the law; whether on the part of the workers themselves or the employers, this situation is neither good nor healthy.”
He says both Democrats and Republicans share responsibility for policies over the past 50 years. He notes a trend: fewer jobs with good working conditions are now available to agricultural workers.
A recent poll conducted by the firm Evitarus found that Steve Hilton—a former Fox News commentator—leads the field with 22% of likely voters. Latino Democrat Xavier Becerra followed him—former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and former Attorney General of California—with 21%.
Billionaire Tom Steyer garnered 15%, while 10% of voters backed Republican Chad Bianco, the Riverside County Sheriff.
The top two candidates in the June 2 primary will move on to the November 3 general election.