Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton leads the pack of candidates following primary election night beating out both Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer. He made a visit to the Capitol on Wednesday.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton speaks at a press conference outside the state capitol on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.Ruth Finch/CapRadio
Hilton held a press conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday morning, where he expressed confidence that he will land on the ballot for the November election. He spoke about affordability, the housing crisis and education in California.
You can read the full story on his press conference here.
Steve Hilton embraces Republican State Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez at the rally held at the Capitol on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.Ruth Finch/CapRadio
Later that day, Hilton walked up to the assembled crowd and press waiting for him at the East Lawn at the Capitol. When Hilton first arrived, he addressed the crowd, and greeted supporters including Republican State Assemblymembers Jeff Gonzalez, Josh Hoover and David Tangipa.
Steve Hilton brought out supporter Joel Degaton to speak to the crowd assembled at his rally on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.Ruth Finch/CapRadioHilton had brought with him Joel Degaton, a supporter of his campaign, who Hilton said he just met while walking over to the event.
Hilton had Degaton share his reasons for supporting him with the crowd. Degaton blamed Democrat leadership for the affordability crisis in California.
“Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve had a dream of living here, you know, owning possessions, a home, starting a family,” Degaton said. “Slowly over those eight years, because of the leadership we’ve had, those dreams have slowly faded. And, recently, [Hilton] kind of brought those back to life.”
Hilton continued to speak to the crowd gathered around him. The event consisted of supporters both young and old. The event provided free pizza and water to the crowd. They were able to pose questions directly to the candidate.
A supporter looks through a pizza box at the rally on June 4th, 2026. Hilton continued to speak to the crowd gathered around him. The event consisted of supporters both young and old. They were able to pose questions directly to the candidate.Ruth Finch/CapRadio
One supporter expressed concerns about homelessness issues in California. Hilton said the unhoused problem in California required less government involvement.
“The foundations of a strong society, faith, family, community — these things, when they’re strong, mean that we actually don’t need the government to come in and fix problems because we’ve solved it for ourselves,” Hilton said.
Steve Hilton poses with Marissa Forte, president of the Young Republicans of Greater Sacramento at Hilton’s Capitol rally on June 3, 2026.Ruth Finch/CapRadio
After Hilton finished speaking, CapRadio spoke with Marissa Forte, president of the Young Republicans of Greater Sacramento. She said as a young person, affordability is something she and members of the Republican club struggle with.
“I think the most important issue is cost of living, because we’re young people, right? We want, we don’t want to leave,” Forte said. “I hear people sometimes in my own club like, ‘Oh, I might have to go to Arizona or Nevada or wherever for work or to live.’ You shouldn’t have to be thinking that way.”
As of Thursday afternoon, Hilton was in the lead for the primary, but results are not yet certified. The majority of ballots must be certified by June 15th. The top two candidates will move on to the general election.
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