California governor’s race: Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton court Latino voters at NALEO conference in LA

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES () — California’s gubernatorial candidates Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra made their pitch to an influential group of Latino leaders at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials conference in downtown Los Angeles earlier this week.

Both candidates leaned on their own immigrant stories to connect with the audience, although their stances on immigration couldn’t be farther apart.

“I’m not an ideologue. I don’t want to tell anyone how to live their life or run their business,” Hilton said during the conference. “I just want everyone to have a shot at climbing that ladder of opportunity. That’s why my campaign is totally focused on lifting up working-class Californians.”

“Today, the price to walk out of your house, to go to work, to worship or protest in peace, to go to the grocery store, to come home to your children, the price is oh so high. And so, unfortunately, is the price of promoting diversity, or simply driving while brown,” Becerra said in his remarks to conference attendees.

NALEO, which is celebrating its 50th year, is non-partisan and its members hail from across the country. With such a large Latino population in California, who runs the state has an impact on all of NALEO’s members.

NALEO member and California voter Gloria Ramos said she’s undecided.

“I like to hear both sides. I’m a very independent thinker,” Ramos said.

“I represent a school district, so I want to hear what we’re looking for here because I know that will help me make that decision of who I’m going to vote for,” she added.

Teresa Acosta, a NALEO member and Carlsbad city councilmember, said voters are looking for a leader who can address everyday concerns.

“People are concerned about cost of living. We’re concerned about cost of gas at the pump. We’re concerned about our kids and the future, and people just being sad and feeling desperate,” Acosta said. “So to find a leader that you can believe in, somebody who inspires you, that’s what we are all looking for.”

The November runoff is less than four months away. Both campaigns says they’re expanding their teams and fundraising ahead of what will be a very busy fall.