California’s governor’s race is turning into a fight over whether voters are getting a real campaign from the Democrat — or simply being asked to rubber-stamp the Sacramento political establishment.
Republican candidate Steve Hilton accused Xavier Becerra of “hiding” from voters and coasting on Democratic support rather than making the case for himself during a Wednesday event in West Sacramento.
“Xavier Becerra is not running for governor. He is waiting to be handed the job,” Hilton said, accusing his rival of “coasting, smirking, and treating the largest state in the country like a retirement present he already earned.”
Hilton, who says he has visited all 58 California counties during his campaign, delivered his case against Becerra at Sacramento’s White Cactus Event Hall.
His complaint was that Californians were facing serious problems while, in his view, Becerra was treating the campaign as though the job was already his.
“He will be nothing but a figurehead and rubber stamp for the same old cronies who have ruined our state,” Hilton added.
The broadside came as Becerra enjoys a huge polling advantage.
A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll released Sept. 24 showed Becerra leading Hilton by 25 points, widening his August advantage of 18 points, when he led 55% to 37%. Nine percent of the 4,512 registered voters surveyed remained undecided.
“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 contrast came in a state that has not had a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served from Nov. 17, 2003, until Jan. 3, 2011.
The two candidates had just one televised general-election debate, held Sept. 30 at CNN’s Burbank studios. It was the only scheduled face-off between them before the Nov. 3 election.
Becerra did not attend a separate proposed event this week with critics accused him of “dodging” or “pulling out” of a promised Los Angeles Times debate Tuesday. Becerra’s campaign said it never formally agreed to participate, 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, highlighting his opponent’s absence. “What’s the conflict? He doesn’t seem to have anything scheduled at all. What an insult to every Californian.”
Hilton also attacked Becerra over comments about his family background. During the CNN debate, Becerra said, “My parents came to California with $12 in their pocket” and has repeatedly described himself as the “son of immigrants.”
Hilton subsequently accused Becerra of “immigrant stolen valor” and lying, citing genealogy and obituary records they said show Becerra’s late father, Manuel, was born in Sacramento and therefore was a US citizen by birth. Those remain accusations.
The Republican also revived criticism of Becerra’s record as Health and Human Services secretary, pointing to reported clashes with former administration officials, including Susan Rice.
Hilton’s broader argument took aim at California’s Democratic establishment, with the Republican pointing to the cost of living, homelessness, artificial intelligence and preparations for the Los Angeles Olympics.
