Steve
Hilton

KMPH reported from campaign filings that Hilton's campaign had spent about $21.52 million, including approximately $9.75 million on media and $9.66 million on operations.

KMPH reported, citing the campaigns' most recent Form 460 filings, that Becerra's campaign had spent approximately $26.05 million and Hilton's approximately $21.52 million through the most recent reporting period.

At a forum, Hilton announced 'Operation Zero Waste,' a plan to identify waste in the state budget. He also reiterated proposals to cut state-government budgets by 5% and reduce high-speed-rail funding.

KMPH reported from Hilton's Form 460 that his campaign had received about $21.39 million in total contributions, nearly $21 million monetary and more than $339,000 non-monetary.

At a town hall, Hilton outlined his policy stances, expressing enthusiasm for tax cuts, distancing himself somewhat from Trump, and opposing offshore wind development in California.

Steve Hilton took part in a Los Angeles Times/LAist town hall in Los Angeles covering housing, homelessness, climate change, and the federal government. Becerra's campaign said the schedule did not work and no later date was arranged. Hilton criticized Becerra for not attending.

Hilton discussed his housing platform and criticized Becerra at a town hall with Los Angeles news outlets.

Hilton responded to criticism of his ad featuring an LGBTQ+ pride flag, defending it as a necessary approach to reaching new voters and doing things differently as a Republican candidate.

A poll conducted Oct. 1–2 by David Wolfson for Hilton's campaign found 35.5% favorable and 50.7% unfavorable ratings for Hilton among 1,020 California voters surveyed. This was a campaign-sponsored poll, not an independent head-to-head measure.

A poll commissioned by Hilton's campaign and conducted October 1–2 by David Wolfson found Becerra at 45.7% and Hilton at 40.1%, with 14.1% undecided. The poll was candidate-commissioned, not an independent survey.

A campaign ad featuring two young women seated in front of an LGBTQ+ pride flag drew criticism from some Republicans, including state superintendent candidate Sonja Shaw, who called it 'creepy, weird garbage.' Hilton defended the ad, saying campaigns needed to do things differently.

Steve Hilton held a Los Angeles news conference to launch his 'Save With Steve' campaign, according to the Associated Press. The event followed the September 30 CNN debate.

Coverage following the Sept. 30 debate confirmed that Hilton holds Trump's endorsement, which Becerra repeatedly invoked as an attack line. Hilton sometimes sought to distinguish his own positions from Trump's.

Post-debate analysis noted Hilton focused on attacking Becerra's record while Becerra leaned heavily on associating Hilton with President Trump throughout the exchange.

The candidates met in their only scheduled CNN debate before Election Day, debating affordability, immigration, housing, taxes, and artificial intelligence. Hilton said he would cap government fees and regulations on a new California home at $50,000.

In an hour-long CNN debate, Hilton argued Becerra represented the status quo and called for change. Becerra repeatedly tied Hilton to President Trump. They clashed over immigration, homelessness, taxes, and household costs.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton launched his 'Save with Steve' campaign, presenting a calculator intended to estimate how much Californians could save under his proposals.

Hilton promoted affordability proposals including gas at $3 a gallon, cutting utility bills in half, and eliminating state income taxes on the first $150,000 of earnings.

Polling coverage confirmed Hilton was falling behind Becerra, reinforcing a trend of the Republican losing ground in the California gubernatorial contest.

A poll conducted Sept. 15–20 found Becerra ahead of Hilton by 25 points among likely voters. Hilton had slipped from 37% in August to 33%, while Becerra rose from 55% to 58%.

Hilton laid out campaign policy proposals including income tax cuts, abolishing the DMV, and a goal of bringing gas prices down to $3 a gallon.

In a Fox News Radio interview, Hilton discussed Gavin Newsom and outlined policy proposals including abolishing the DMV and capping vehicle registration at $73 a year.