As he considers a run for California governor, Fox News commentator Steve Hilton spoke to a friendly crowd in Yorba Linda on Thursday, April 3, where he took aim at the state’s growing list of Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls.

Hilton, who was born in the U.K. and has been a U.S. citizen since 2021, appeared at the Nixon Library as part of his “Califailure” book tour, in which he argues that homelessness, high costs of living, high taxes and the housing crisis in California are the result of decisions driven by political ideologies.

Drawing from his book during the evening discussion, Hilton criticized the state’s leadership and took shots at several Democrats, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and gubernatorial hopefuls, former U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Rep. Katie Porter.

“Every day now, there seems to be a new one popping out, saying they’re running for governor,” Hilton said, referring to Becerra, who launched his campaign the day before Hilton’s event.

California has not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served from 2003 to 2011 after winning a recall election. Today, Democrats hold a supermajority in both chambers of the state legislature and every statewide office.

Hilton said his decision on whether to run for governor would come “much sooner” than former Vice President Kamala Harris, who has said she will decide if she’ll jump into the race by the end of this summer.

But Hilton said he wants to ensure that he can mount a serious and effective campaign.

“I would only do it on the basis that it would be something that would be an effective campaign that will win because we need to turn things around in California,” he said in an interview before the event.

“Everyone can see that we need change,” Hilton said. “You’ve got Democrat candidates announcing all the time, but I don’t understand how Democrats think that they’re the solution to the problems that they themselves created.”

Hilton said he’s putting together a policy platform and assessing financial support to determine whether the pieces are in place.

On Thursday, he blamed Democrats for excessive regulation when it comes to building homes, which he pointed to as the state’s most urgent problem.

“It’s just impossible for people to even imagine owning their own home. That used to be the ‘California dream’ as we think about it — very basic things, a good job that pays enough to raise your family in the home of your own in a safe neighborhood with a good school, so your kids have a better life than you. Owning your home is an absolutely central part of that,” Hilton said.

He also criticized the role of labor unions in California politics, arguing they often hold too much influence over lawmakers.

He referenced last year’s state race in the 37th Senate District between Sen. Josh Newman and Steven Choi, a Republican who ultimately won.

During the race, AFSCME 3299, the University of California’s largest employee union, heavily invested in supporting other Democrats in the March primary after Newman declined to back outright a constitutional amendment that would have strengthened the rights of UC employees. In the general election, the union spent nearly $1 million to oppose Newman.

“The Democrat in the race had the temerity to disagree with the union on one of their policy demands. So they said, right, we’ll show you, we’re going to take you out as a warning to any other Democrat not to step out of line,” Hilton said.

But Hilton’s speech wasn’t all barreling into California’s problems.

“We’re the home of doers and dreamers and creators and people who just want to do their own thing, live their life the way that they choose,” he said. “That’s what inspired me. California means to America what America means to the world.”

On the possibility of facing Harris in a gubernatorial contest, he said, “I say bring it on. Let’s beat her again.”

Ric Grenell, President Donald Trump’s envoy for special missions and another potential California gubernatorial candidate, has said he may enter the governor’s race if Harris decides to run. Porter, meanwhile, has said she would exit should Harris jump in.

Hilton’s appearance at the Nixon Library on Thursday was part of a promotional tour for his new book, “Califailure”, which was published in late March.