Hilton vows to end mass homelessness by 2027 in final Oceanside rally

Republican candidate Steve Hilton addressed a crowd in Oceanside on Monday, outlining a plan to eliminate mass homelessness in California by the end of 2027. The rally served as his final major campaign appearance before Election Day on Tuesday, November 3.

Hilton spoke for approximately one hour, outlining proposals to lower taxes, reduce gas prices, and increase law enforcement activity. He positioned his candidacy against incumbent Attorney General Xavier Becerra, characterizing a vote for the Democrat as a continuation of current state policies.

"Have you had enough of this bloated bureaucratic nanny-state government bossing us around from morning till night," Hilton said.

The Tijuana River sewage issue drew the strongest response from the audience. Hilton pledged to resolve the contamination from Mexico, stating, "We will stop the sewage from Mexico one way or another."

Supporters in the audience expressed confidence in Hilton's platform. Terrie St. John, who voted early with her husband Jerry, cited his focus on cleaning up streets and assisting the homeless. Diana Parkman from Vista supported Hilton's plan to resume oil drilling to bring gas prices down to three dollars per gallon. Kari Barrera, a Democrat in the crowd, said she was crossing party lines to support a candidate focused on helping the underdog.

Becerra's campaign spokesperson responded to the rally with a statement criticizing Hilton's alignment with President Donald Trump. The spokesperson noted that Becerra spent the previous decade working to make health care and prescription drugs more affordable.

Local Republican candidates for state controller and lieutenant governor, including Jim Desmond, also addressed the gathering. The crowd included voters from Oceanside and nearby Vista who arrived for the final push before the midterms.