Steve Hilton campaigns in fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades days before California governor election

Oct 31, 2026

In the closing days of the California gubernatorial election, Republican candidate Steve Hilton rallied in fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades on November 1, 2026. Hilton criticized 16 years of Democratic control under outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom, blaming state leadership for failing to clear brush prior to the January 2025 Palisades Fire, which destroyed roughly 6,800 structures. Hilton faces Democratic nominee Xavier Becerra in the upcoming election.

California gubernatorial race

▪Steve Hilton held a campaign rally
▪Republican Steve Hilton faces Democrat Xavier Becerra in Tuesday's election to succeed term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom in California.
▪Steve Hilton is a former Fox News commentator and former political advisor to British Prime Minister David Cameron who has been endorsed by Donald Trump.
▪Democratic nominee Xavier Becerra is a former California attorney general and former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary under President Joe Biden.

Pacific Palisades wildfire aftermath

▪Steve Hilton pledged to appoint a recovery CEO to oversee wildfire rebuilding efforts in California if elected governor.
▪The January 2025 Palisades Fire burned over 23,000 acres, destroyed roughly 6,800 structures, and displaced tens of thousands of Los Angeles residents.

Democratic leadership criticism

▪Steve Hilton characterized Pacific Palisades and its wildfire aftermath as a symbol of 16 years of Democratic failure in California.
▪Steve Hilton accused California state and local officials of failing to adequately prepare for wildfires or assist residents in rebuilding due to incompetence, ideology, and corruption.

Hilton campaign messaging

▪Steve Hilton promised to lower gas prices to $3 per gallon, eliminate state income taxes on the first $150,000 of income, cancel the high-speed rail project, and abolish the California DMV.
▪Steve Hilton criticized California state government policies including high gas prices, housing unaffordability, persistent homelessness, local gas appliance bans, and a statewide ban on flavored tobacco products.

Wildfire prevention policy failures

▪Steve Hilton stated that the January 2025 wildfire disaster and slow recovery were not random events but resulted from 16 years of Democratic one-party rule in California.
▪Steve Hilton argued that California's environmental and land-management policies deliberately failed to clear brush that could have prevented wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.