By Solange Reyner | Monday, 03 November 2025 05:15 PM EST
Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has condemned California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Proposition 50 as a “disgusting, corrupt power grab” driven by the governor’s presidential ambitions, according to remarks made on Newsmax.
Hilton, appearing on “American Agenda,” urged conservatives to “fight this until the last minute” to prevent what he described as an abuse of power and misuse of taxpayer funds. He argued that if Proposition 50 passes, voters in three Northern California counties—regions that strongly supported President Donald Trump in recent elections—would be merged with representatives from the state’s wealthiest and most liberal coastal areas.
This consolidation, Hilton claimed, would dilute rural influence, making it improbable for Republican candidates to succeed. He emphasized that the proposal is not merely a costly initiative but a calculated political strategy to elevate Newsom’s national profile.
Hilton’s “Vote No on Prop 50” campaign, alongside strategist Karl Rove, has involved a statewide bus tour to rally opposition. He asserted that the measure’s true purpose is to bolster Newsom’s presidential aspirations, noting the $300 million in taxpayer money allocated for its promotion.
The candidate warned that defeating Proposition 50 would deliver a “massive humiliation” to Newsom and derail his White House ambitions. He called on voters nationwide to encourage California residents to reject the measure, framing it as a battle against political elites manipulating democracy for personal gain.
With polls set to close Tuesday evening, Hilton described the effort as “the last stand” against what he termed a “deeply corrupt system.” He reiterated that the fight is far from over, urging the public to “finish the job.”
