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BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES () — Republican Steve Hilton brought his campaign for California governor to Boyle Heights on Wednesday, spending much of his speech swatting away flies that have gathered around the Lineage warehouse across the street, where food is still rotting.
Hilton acknowledged the challenges facing a Republican candidate in a statewide California race but said he believes voters are looking for change.
“You may want to fight climate change, but you can agree that $6 gas is insane. You may want the government properly funded, but can agree that our taxes are too high,” he said.
Eyewitness News asked Hilton what he would have done differently in response to the Boyle Heights warehouse fire if he were governor.
Hilton criticized local leaders, saying Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ 45-day deadline to remove 85 million pounds of rotting food is too long.
He said he would have done more to speed up the cleanup process.
In the latest Public Policy Institute of California poll of the governor’s race, released last week, Democrat Xavier Becerra led Hilton 61% to 36%.
“This campaign is just getting started,” Hilton said. “We are on day one. When we get to November, I’m very confident that position will be reversed. That we will be leading.”
In a statement, Becerra’s campaign said, “Californians already know who Steve Hilton is: Trump’s puppet in California. His campaign is a promise to run our state the way trump runs the country – and we’re not buying it. Hard pass.”
So far, Hilton has embraced President Donald Trump’s endorsement, which political analysts say could be a challenge in a state where registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by nearly 2 to 1.
“California Democrats hate Donald Trump so much that anybody who is perceived to be tied to him immediately makes that candidate suspect,” said former California Assemblyman Mike Gatto.
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