Exclusive | Steve Hilton targets Xavier Becerra campaign cash with sweeping California anti-corruption plan

Steve Hilton has a new plan to put a cap on California’s political money machine and expose those working in the shadows of the Capitol.The Republican candidate for governor is rolling out a sweeping anti-corruption agenda Thursday in San Diego aimed at blocking the flow of special-interest cash to politicians like his Democratic rival Xavier Becerra, the California Post has learned.Hilton intends to blast Becerra as a career politician whose candidacy has benefited from millions in outside spending by corporations, unions and other powerful interests.Outside groups have reported about $19 million in independent expenditures supporting Becerra ahead of the the 2026 primary in June, according to the Hilton campaign’s analysis of state campaign finance data.The campaign now pegged the total figure at $26 million as of the end of June.“They know what they are buying: a governor who will protect the machine that has protected him,” says Hilton, who will face Becerra in a Sept.

30 debate on CNN.Outside groups supporting Becerra received $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, according to Hilton’s campaign.Political committees sponsored by Airbnb and electrical workers each contributed $1 million to support Becerra, while Meta gave $950,000 and Chevron and DaVita each kicked in $500,000, according to state records.A separate pro-Becerra committee reported receiving $2 million from Uber’s political action committee.“If a company, union, trade group or anyone else is lobbying for a bill, budget item, tax break, carveout or special favor, it should not be writing large campaign checks to the lawmakers deciding whether it gets one,” Hilton says.As governor, Hilton says he would impose new limits on campaign contributions from corporations, uni...