Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton is introducing a comprehensive anti-corruption agenda aimed at curbing the flow of special-interest money into California politics. The plan, detailed Thursday, seeks to expose shadowed financial dealings in the state Capitol and limit contributions from entities lobbying lawmakers.
Hilton intends to highlight the substantial outside spending supporting his Democratic opponent, Xavier Becerra, whose candidacy has benefited from millions in independent expenditures from corporations, unions, and other influential groups. According to Hilton's campaign analysis of state finance data, approximately $19 million in independent expenditures had been reported supporting Becerra ahead of the June primary, a figure the campaign later updated to $26 million by the end of June.
"They know what they are buying: a governor who will protect the machine that has protected him," Hilton stated, referencing the upcoming Sept. 30 debate on CNN with Becerra.
Outside groups have contributed significant amounts to pro-Becerra committees. These include $2.75 million from the California Association of Realtors' political arm, $2.45 million from a Laborers union PAC, $2 million from the Pechanga Band of Indians, and $1.4 million from the California Medical Association’s independent expenditure committee. Additional contributions include $1 million each from political committees sponsored by Airbnb and electrical workers, $950,000 from Meta, and $500,000 each from Chevron and DaVita. A separate committee supporting Becerra also reported receiving $2 million from Uber’s political action committee.
Hilton's proposal includes new limits on campaign contributions from corporations, unions, trade groups, and other entities that lobby the Legislature. He also advocates for expanding public records requirements for lawmakers and demanding greater disclosure of communications between top state officials and major donors or lobbyists.
The proposed reforms would extend a $500 campaign contribution limit to the Legislature for interests lobbying on matters before lawmakers. This restriction would be active while a matter is pending and for one year afterward. A lawmaker who received more than $500 from an affected interest in the preceding 12 months would be required to return the funds or recuse themselves from the matter. Contributions from affiliated companies, controlled PACs, lobbyists, and other agents would be aggregated. Covered donations and lobbying matters would be publicly posted in a searchable database within 48 hours.
Hilton's plan also aims to apply the California Public Records Act fully to the Legislature. Additionally, it would mandate that the governor and senior appointees disclose meetings with registered lobbyists and significant campaign donors within 48 hours, ensuring "no conveniently missing records."
A new campaign advertisement from Hilton criticizes the influence of special-interest money in Sacramento, depicting Becerra in a glass box being auctioned off to the highest bidder. The ad features placards representing unions, private equity, and the California Chamber of Commerce, which endorsed Becerra after the primary.
Hilton's campaign also points to nearly $29 million spent by PG&E and a Chamber-backed committee targeting Tom Steyer, a prominent Democratic opponent of Becerra during the primary. According to Hilton, 94% of his campaign contributions through June 30 came from individuals, compared to 65% for Becerra.
"People paying taxes will come before people paying for political campaigns," Hilton asserted. "No favors for donors. No secret deals. No taxpayer-funded campaigns. No politicians hiding from the public."
Becerra's campaign had not immediately responded to a request for comment regarding Hilton's critiques and his proposed solutions for campaign finance issues in California.
Furthermore, Hilton has pledged to order an independent audit of the Capitol Annex project. This project has already incurred $668 million in costs, with projections now exceeding $1.2 billion, including expenses for mining California granite, shipping it to Italy for fabrication, and returning it. Hilton stated that "new change orders and nonessential luxury spending will be paused" and that "every contract, bid, payment, change order and confidentiality agreement connected to the project will be published."