Steve Hilton's bid for California governorship sparks debate over immigrant health coverage

Republican candidate Steve Hilton, a British‑born former adviser to UK Prime Minister David Cameron who now hosts a Fox News show, is challenging Democrat Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, in the 2026 California governor race. The contest pits a Democrat who supports continuing state‑funded health coverage for low‑income undocumented immigrants against a Republican who vows to cut the program, which currently costs the state about $10 billion annually and serves millions through Medi‑Cal.

Hilton’s campaign highlights concerns over rising health‑care costs and appeals to voters who, for the first time in a decade, oppose providing such coverage to undocumented residents, according to a Public Policy Institute of California poll. He argues that taxpayer money should not fund health care for “citizens of other countries,” while Becerra contends that excluding the poorest immigrants would drive them to expensive emergency care.

The race occurs in a heavily Democratic state where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two‑to‑one, and the last Republican held statewide office 20 years ago. Hilton, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, positions himself as a pragmatic contrarian, supporting some traditionally progressive policies such as a higher living wage and stronger environmental standards, while also advocating for welfare cuts and stricter immigration measures.