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California’s political heavyweights hit the campaign trail Saturday as early voting opened, with candidates scrambling to lock down support before Election Day and pitching voters sharply different answers to the state’s affordability and public safety crises.
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Steve Hilton took his tax-cut message to the Inland Empire, promising to slash costs for working families after what he called 16 years of one-party rule. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass rolled out relief for residents struggling with utility bills, while her challenger, Nithya Raman, pressed for an audit of the city’s power and water department.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra, meanwhile, was not out campaigning Saturday, after spending the week promoting a tougher approach to homelessness and nonprofits receiving state money.
Here’s where the major candidates stand as California voters begin casting ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Steve Hilton: Tax cuts, cheaper gas and a carbon-market crackdown
Hilton, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, was scheduled to headline a rally Saturday at Silverlakes Park in Norco, joined by lieutenant governor candidate Gloria Romero, controller candidate Herb Morgan and Rep. Ken Calvert.
The event focused on mobilizing voters in the Inland Empire, where affordability, public safety and the cost of living remain central concerns.
Hilton has promised to make the first $150,000 of income tax-free, cut electricity bills in half, bring gas prices down to $3 a gallon and abolish the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Earlier in the week, he vowed to suspend California’s carbon market, calling it “a disaster of a program.”
He has also pitched a homelessness strategy built around large recovery centers and clearing encampments when people refuse shelter. During an appearance on HBO’s Overtime with Bill Maher, Hilton defended his positions on artificial intelligence safety and expanding nuclear power.
Xavier Becerra: Tough talk on homelessness as poll shows commanding lead
Becerra, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, did not hit the campaign trail Saturday, but spent the week making his case for a tougher approach to California’s homelessness crisis.
On Monday, Oct. 19, he outlined a homelessness-prevention strategy and vowed to crack down on nonprofits that receive state money but fail to deliver results.
“If you got money and you didn’t do anything, we’ll have to close you down,” Becerra warned.
An Emerson College Polling survey released Wednesday showed Becerra leading Hilton 60% to 33% among registered voters.
On Saturday, Becerra launched a digital and grassroots effort urging supporters to prepare to vote ahead of Election Day.
Karen Bass: Utility relief, transit expansion and emergency response
Bass announced an emergency Department of Water and Power relief plan Tuesday, Oct. 20, pausing residential utility shutoffs through the end of 2026 and allowing financially strained residents to temporarily pay what they can afford.
The move comes as the incumbent faces pressure over rising utility bills and the cost of living in Los Angeles.
On Wednesday, Bass joined the groundbreaking for a $414 million Metro expansion along Vermont Avenue. On Friday, she joined City Council members in launching the city’s first Unified Call Center for Unarmed Crisis Response.
She also signed a directive aimed at speeding up the hiring of 911 dispatchers.
Nithya Raman: Utility audit, key endorsement and debate damage control
Raman, Bass’s challenger in the Los Angeles mayoral race, proposed a three-point audit of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power on Monday, claiming utility bills had surged 40% under the incumbent.
She picked up an endorsement Tuesday from Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, but also spent the week trying to contain fallout from her description of former LAPD Chief Daryl Gates’ era as the “gold standard” for non-cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Raman made private apology calls and conducted media interviews to address criticism from Black community leaders.
Early voting opens across California
California voters can cast ballots in person beginning 10 days before Election Day in counties participating in the Voter’s Choice Act. Those voters can also drop off mail-in ballots, register to vote or update their voter information at designated vote centers.
Participating counties include Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Alameda, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Kings, Sacramento, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Ventura and others across the state.
With voting underway, candidates are taking their competing promises directly to Californians as the Nov. 3 election approaches.