# Opinion: Gianno Caldwell, Who Left California in 2020, Says Steve Hilton Gives Voters a Reason to Stay

The Fox News contributor backs Hilton for governor over Xavier Becerra, citing his plans on gas prices, income tax, housing and crime. He concedes the polls make Hilton the underdog.

- Section: [Opinion](https://rightnewsrightnow.com/opinion/)
- Published: 2026-11-02
- By: RightNewsRightNow Staff
- Canonical page: https://rightnewsrightnow.com/articles/opinion-gianno-caldwell-fled-california-steve-hilton-governor-gas-tax-income-tax-150000-fox-news/

This is a summary of an opinion column in Fox News by Gianno Caldwell, founder of the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety. The views are his, not RightNewsRightNow's.

The argument. Caldwell says he lived in Los Angeles from 2017 to May 2020 and left for Miami because the city looked like "Gotham City," with tent cities, break-ins and violent crime. He says California is now a state in decline after 16 years of one-party rule, with some of the nation's highest gas and housing costs, and that Republican Steve Hilton gives residents "a reason to stay."

The plans he praises. Hilton wants no state income tax on the first $150,000 a Californian earns. He says he would get gas to $3 a gallon by eliminating the state gas tax, repealing the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and producing more oil in the state. On housing, Caldwell says Hilton would streamline building codes and rein in lawsuits under the California Environmental Quality Act. On crime and homelessness, Hilton would enforce the law against street encampments while expanding mental health and addiction treatment. Caldwell notes Hilton's endorsement from Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig, who he says designed Proposition 36.

The contrast. Caldwell says Hilton has campaigned across the state since the June primary while Democrat Xavier Becerra, a former Biden health secretary, "has kept a low profile." He says Hilton attended a Los Angeles Times candidate forum this month and Becerra did not.

The close. Caldwell concedes "the polls say Hilton is the underdog," but writes that "the polls don't vote. People do."

Our note: We have not checked the claims about Hilton's plans, Becerra's schedule or the Reisig endorsement, and the column does not address critics of Hilton's tax and fuel proposals. Caldwell says he has known Hilton since their time together at Fox News. California votes Tuesday.

## Source

Original reporting: [Fox News (opinion)](https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/gianno-caldwell-fled-california-steve-hilton-gives-voters-golden-opportunity-stay)