Republican California gubernatorial hopeful Steve Hilton is engaging with voters through a unique campaign initiative: inviting them to share dinner at their homes. Hilton aims to foster personal connections and discuss pressing state issues, moving beyond traditional campaign events.
The campaign features video installments showcasing these dinners. In one clip, Hilton joins Chula Vista couple Valen and Sandra Guerra. He presents them with a bottle, suggesting it's for their "election night" celebration, and participates in cooking their family recipes.
During the gatherings, conversations often turn to California's economic challenges. Valen Guerra notes that "as soon as it gets a little tough, everybody moves out," while Sandra Guerra, a native of Chula Vista, laments the city's decline from a thriving economy to financial difficulties.
Hilton's campaign outlines the "Dinner with Steve" initiative on his website, inviting voters to enter for a chance to host him. He emphasizes the authenticity of the offer on social media, stating, "It’s not a scam! I will actually come to your home, help you cook dinner and discuss the issues affecting your family."
Another installment shared on X features Hilton with a different California family. Members of this family expressed concerns about high income and state taxes, as well as the high cost of gasoline, with one individual commenting, "And it’s really hard to make a living."
Hilton has made affordability a central theme of his campaign, proposing the elimination of income tax for many Californians to increase disposable income. He faces incumbent Democrat Xavier Becerra in the race for governor in the predominantly Democratic state.