Becerra-Hilton Takes Shape as Steyer’s $216M Bet Burns Out
Friday, June 12, 2026 · 11 min
California governor race shifts into a Becerra-Hilton general election, with Steve Hilton pitching tax cuts and deregulation while Tom Steyer’s $216 million ad blitz becomes a cautionary tale about money’s limits.
Listen
Show notes
California governor race shifts into a Becerra-Hilton general election, with Steve Hilton pitching tax cuts and deregulation while Tom Steyer’s $216 million ad blitz becomes a cautionary tale about money’s limits.
In this episode
- Ex-UK political aide Steve Hilton pledges 'common sense' overhaul if elected California governor - BBC News — BBC News
Ex-UK political aide Steve Hilton pledges 'common sense' overhaul if elected California governor - BBC News Getty Images Jude Sheerin Washington DC 49 minutes ago Steve Hilton, the former senior adviser to David Cameron, has told the BBC his bid to be California's next governor is a campaign to "save" the state from what he describes as overbearing bureaucracy and economic decline. In his…
- Opinion | Becerra will be workhorse governor, not a show horse — CalMatters
Opinion | Becerra will be workhorse governor, not a show horse Democrat Xavier Becerra speaks at The Western Growers gubernatorial candidate forum at Fresno State in Fresno on April 1, 2026. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters In the eight decades since the end of World War II, 11 men have served as governor of California— counting Jerry Brown twice. Six, beginning with Earl Warren, have…
- Step Back — When candidates for California governor promise a “common sense overhaul” or a steady workhorse agenda, how much power does the governor actually have to change things like housing, taxes, schools, or public safety — and where do the Legislature, courts, ballot measures, and local governments box them in?
Background sources
- Gavin Newsom's final year: Legacy on the line — Jeanne Kuang
- Newsom set to unveil his last budget. An $18 billion deficit awaits. — Yue Stella Yu
- Guide to the California State Budget Process - California Budget & Policy Center — Calbudgetcenter
- As part of the 2026–27 budget proposal, Governor Newsom proposes improving state education governance | Governor of California — State of California
- California’s tax the rich frenzy could hurt state’s budget problem — Yue Stella Yu
- Gov. Newsom seeks lawmakers’ help to pass his 2026 agenda | Sacramento Bee — Sacramento Bee
- Ad nauseam: How message fatigue tanked Tom Steyer's $216-million campaign — Yahoo News
Ad nauseam: How message fatigue tanked Tom Steyer's $216-million campaign Advertisement Advertisement ## Top Stories: Democrat Tom Steyer, seen speaking to supporters at his election night watch party, spent a record-breaking $216 million of his personal fortune on his unsuccessful run for governor. Californians couldn't escape billionaire Tom Steyer's political ads — during newscasts,…