Steve Hilton Targets Latino Voters With Anti-Trans Sports Ad Featuring AI Becerra

California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has launched a new Spanish-language campaign advertisement targeting Latino voters with a controversial message about transgender athletes participating in women's sports. The ad accuses rival Xavier Becerra of "extremism" for supporting the inclusion of transgender boys in girls' sports.

The advertisement depicts a scene where a transgender soccer player with a mustache competes against young girls, causing one to be injured. An AI-generated image of Becerra is shown observing the game and taking responsibility for the injury. Hilton stated in an interview with The Post that he felt it was important to inform Latino families that the issues seen in schools are a direct result of actions by Democratic politicians like Becerra.

"Everywhere I go in California, I hear incredibly strong concerns from Latino parents about what’s going on in our schools," Hilton said. "They’re desperate for someone to help them push back against what they see as crazy, fringe ideologies that go against their deepest beliefs and values."

Hilton's campaign has been actively engaging with Latino voters, who constitute a significant portion of the California electorate. The ad aims to highlight concerns about what Hilton describes as "ideological extremism" in schools, particularly regarding sports and locker room access, and what he claims is a diversion from focusing on educational basics.

The ad's narrative shows a father questioning the presence of a new player, who is then revealed to be a transgender girl. The player subsequently injures one of the biological girls. The AI-generated Becerra then appears, stating he supports boys playing in girls' sports. When the father expresses concern about injuries, the AI Becerra responds with an apology.

Becerra has a record of supporting anti-discrimination laws and civil rights. He backed the 2013 California law AB1266, which allows students to participate in sex-segregated programs based on their gender identity. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, he supported interpreting Title IX to include gender identity protections and has spoken against state-level bans on transgender athletes and gender-affirming care.

In a past statement, Becerra said, "Trans people are people, and as governor I will use every power of that office to protect their rights." He also stated, "I’ve been on the right side of these fights long before it was popular — in 1996, I was one of only 67 in Congress to stand up against the Defense of Marriage Act. I’ll always choose the right side of history over the easy side."

However, early in the gubernatorial race, Becerra also commented, "There’s nothing in the Constitution that says that you are entitled to play a sport." He added, "I’m not interested as governor in having someone be bullied or someone discriminated because of who they are, simply for that reason. And if the rules allow an individual to play in that sport, those are the rules and you should abide by them."

The advertisement comes as polls show a close race between Hilton and Becerra, with both candidates seeking support from key demographics, including Latino voters. A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll released September 24 indicated Becerra leading Hilton by 25 points. However, a poll commissioned by Hilton's campaign and conducted October 1-2 found Becerra leading by 5.6 points.

The issue of transgender athletes in women's sports has become a prominent debate nationally, with several instances in California drawing public attention. A transgender track athlete, AB Hernandez, has faced scrutiny after dominating in high school competitions. A conservative think tank also recently reported that transgender athletes have potentially impacted thousands of women's sports medals and prize money over past decades.

US attorney Bill Essayli commented on California's policies, stating, "California’s policies have been to ignore woman, girls and parents’ rights in favor of a radical political ideology." He added, "No-one is saying trans girls can’t compete; but they should compete with those who share their biology. They shouldn’t get to deprive girls of their chance for trophies or for scholarships to suit your political cause."

Becerra's office was contacted for comment.