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Republican, right

Steve Hilton

Republican

Verified · Oct 3, 2026

His campaign pages propose no California income tax on the first $150,000, more in-state oil production with the Low Carbon Fuel Standard suspended, education savings accounts starting with some students, and a smaller general fund tied to that tax cut.

The other candidate for governor on the certified November 2026 ballot. Tax, oil, school, and budget lines are taken from his campaign policy pages.

Sourced positions

4 sourced statements

If the state has to choose, which should it do?

Source only

His tax page says Californians would pay no state income tax on the first $150,000 of income, and that income above $150,000 would be taxed at 8 percent.

“Under Steve Hilton’s plan, Californians will pay no state income tax on their first $150,000 of income.”

Steve Hilton for Governor 2026, “No State Income Tax on Your First $150,000,” retrieved September 29, 2026. The page does not show a publication date.2026-09-29Saved copyVerified · Oct 3, 2026

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Should the state set firm deadlines for California to stop using oil and gas?

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The gas-price page says he would suspend the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, remove cap and trade fees tied to gasoline, and take immediate steps to increase California oil production.

“Additional deregulation measures, including immediate steps to increase California oil production and the suspension of enforcement of SBX1-2 and ABX2-1, could reduce prices even further, by up to 25¢ per gallon.”

Steve Hilton for Governor 2026, “$3 Gas” policy page, retrieved September 29, 2026. The page does not show a publication date.2026-09-29Saved copyVerified · Oct 3, 2026

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Should families be able to use public education funding at a school the family picks, including a private or religious school?

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The schools page says he would launch education savings accounts, starting with low-income and special-needs students, and let parents use them while traditional schools change. The same page also says parents could move a child to a better-performing public school across district lines.

“To give parents immediate options while traditional schools improve, Hilton will expand choice through ESAs, starting with low-income and special needs students.”

Steve Hilton for Governor 2026, “Making California’s Schools Work Again,” retrieved September 29, 2026. The page does not show a publication date.2026-09-29Saved copyVerified · Oct 3, 2026

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If the state has to choose, which should it do?

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The campaign's tax page cites independent estimates that its income-tax plan would reduce state revenue by approximately $40 billion a year.

“Independent estimates suggest eliminating state income tax on the first $150,000 of income and applying an 8% rate above that threshold would reduce revenues by approximately $40 billion annually.”

Steve Hilton for Governor 2026, “No State Income Tax on Your First $150,000,” retrieved September 29, 2026. The page does not show a publication date.2026-09-29Saved copyVerified · Oct 3, 2026

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Campaign claims, checked

Each checked against the evidence listed with it

Can’t verify

Steve Hilton campaign

“Independent estimates suggest eliminating state income tax on the first $150,000 of income and applying an 8% rate above that threshold would reduce revenues by approximately $40 billion annually.”

Seen in: Campaign website policy page · Paid for by Steve Hilton for Governor 2026 · Campaign website

Verified · Oct 3, 2026

The page says "independent estimates" but does not name the estimator or link to one. A search for an independent estimate of this plan's revenue cost, from the Legislative Analyst's Office or another nonpartisan source, found none, so the $40 billion figure could not be confirmed or contradicted. The page's own numbers are consistent with each other: it puts $40 billion at roughly 17.6 percent of the more than $226 billion in General Fund revenue it projects, and attributes about $20.9 billion of it to the first $150,000 exemption.

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