Steve Hilton dresses as Xavier Becerra for Halloween while mocking Dem challenger
Steve Hilton gave California voters a Halloween scare, dressing up as Xavier Becerra to mock the Democrat’s tax proposals — including a mileage tax that could leave drivers paying hundreds more just to hit the road.
The Republican gubernatorial hopeful donned a Becerra-inspired disguise, complete with gray hair, and marched through crowds with a blue-framed iPad advertising a mock mileage-tax bill, photos obtained by The California Post show.
The stunt took aim at Becerra’s openness to charging motorists based on how many miles they drive, adding another potential expense for Californians already grappling with some of the highest fuel costs in the country.
The Democrat has signaled he is open to a mileage tax while supporting the state’s existing 63.4-cent-per-gallon gas tax, which is piled on top of federal fuel taxes and local sales taxes.
The proposal has put Becerra’s tax policies under the microscope as affordability becomes a major issue in the governor’s race.
And the mileage tax is just one of several policies drawing scrutiny.
Becerra supports expanding taxpayer-funded Medi-Cal coverage to immigrants living in the country illegally, a position that could add to pressure on the state’s already strained resources.
He has also pushed back against federal deportation initiatives.
On broader tax policy, Becerra opposes sweeping reductions, arguing that “Trump-style” tax breaks disproportionately benefit the wealthiest residents. His position puts him at odds with calls for across-the-board cuts from those who argue California’s tax burden fuels poverty and pushes businesses out of the state.
The former Biden administration health secretary also wants to keep California’s troubled high-speed rail project alive, favoring reforms and private and federal funding over immediately ending state payments.
Becerra has pointed to his antitrust and privacy lawsuits against Google and Meta as major accomplishments. But business advocacy groups have warned that aggressive legal campaigns against major technology companies could threaten jobs and discourage innovation in the state.
His personal biography has also become a campaign issue.
Republican opponents have challenged Becerra’s description of himself as the “son of immigrants,” pointing out that his father, Manuel Guerrero Becerra, was born in Sacramento.
Becerra emerged as a leading contender in the governor’s race following Eric Swalwell’s departure, despite reportedly not being the preferred choice of many Democrats.
Former Obama adviser Susan Rice also once called Becerra an idiot, a remark she reportedly did not deny.
President Trump has also weighed in on the California governor’s race, suggesting Hilton could be cheated out of a victory against Becerra.
“California is very corrupt,” Trump told reporters.
“The elections are extremely corrupt,” he said.