California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton this week promised he would investigate Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) for fraud if he wins his Republican bid to become the Golden State’s next leader.Hilton is one of three candidates viewed as the top contenders heading into Tuesday’s nonpartisan primary. Two Democrats, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and billionaire Tom Steyer, rival Hilton in a tight race to make it to the top-two finish, and seek to succeed Newsom in November’s general election.Hilton told Fox News Digital Monday that if elected governor, his first executive order would create a “Taxpayer Fraud Strike Force” to probe suspected corruption and mismanagement in California’s government.
California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton arrives for a final Election Day campaign event Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Huntington Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Strazzante)
“This is Day 1 of the new administration. We’re going to clean house in California,” Hilton said. “Gavin Newsom will be top of our target list because for years Newsom was warned by the state auditor, by other state agencies, his own state agencies, that billions of dollars were being stolen, and he did nothing about it.”
