Steve Hilton pushes hospital deregulation during Fresno stop. CA 'needs a major overhaul'

David Taub, The Fresno Bee on Jul 21, 2026

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Steve Hilton, the Republican candidate for governor, visited Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno on Monday to highlight what he says are unnecessary unfunded government mandates that are “crippling” hospitals.

Specifically, he called for reform on seismic retrofit rules that require hospitals to meet earthquake safety standards by 2030. Community said it has invested hundreds of millions to retrofit.

Hilton said the regulations are “completely unnecessary” and “take no account of actual seismic conditions in the area.” Hilton also highlighted minimum wage increases, which he called “a disaster,” and energy costs, as unnecessary financial drags on hospitals.

“There’s all these things that actually the government does to increase the costs of healthcare providers. So my starting point, especially for hospitals that are closing down, is to reduce those cost pressures by reducing the mandates and regulations from Sacramento,” Hilton said in an exclusive interview with The Fresno Bee.

Hilton also said his campaign has planned an upcoming newspaper campaign ad that encourages anti-Trump voters to support him.

“Whatever your views are on national politics, it’s not about who you hate in Washington. It’s about what you love in California and how we can restore the California dream,” Hilton said.

Xavier Becerra, Hilton’s Democratic opponent, generally opposes deregulation. On his campaign website, he touted taking on hospital systems over anticompetitive practices and health care prices during his time as California attorney general. He also said he would use his powers to prevent rural hospital closures.

Two times as attorney general, Becerra required hospitals to maintain its seismic compliance as part of a sale.

Facing a supermajority of Democrats in both houses of the state legislature, Hilton said, if elected, he would use his executive powers to enact reform. That means appointments to state boards of like-minded people who would fulfill his mission to deregulate.

“There are hundreds of these agencies, and they are making life impossible for businesses in California. My starting point is to cut back the massive bloat in our government in Sacramento,” Hilton said.

Not concerned about poll numbers

A PPIC poll last week shows Becerra leading 61% to 36% over Hilton.

Hilton said those numbers just reflect the recent June 2 primary, before any campaigning for the November election started.

“Why would you vote the same way and expect a different result?” Hilton said. “The state needs a major overhaul. You’re not going to get that from someone like Xavier Becerra, who’s a 36-year career politician.”

Hilton capped his evening at a fundraiser for Gloria Romero, candidate for lieutenant governor and Hilton’s de facto running mate. He calls it “the golden ticket.”

“It’s a good balance because I’ve never run for office before. I’m an outsider fighting to shake up the system that obviously isn’t working. Gloria’s had a lot of experience in Sacramento. She was leader of the Democrats in the state senate, so she’s able to bring that experience to help us when we try and make change happen,” Hilton said.

An upcoming newspaper campaign ad encourages anti-Trump voters to support Hilton.

“Whatever your views are on national politics, it’s not about who you hate in Washington. It’s about what you love in California and how we can restore the California dream,” Hilton said.

Kyle Kirkland hosted the event at his Club One Casino in Fresno. He’s running for Congress. Comedian Paul Rodriguez performed a stand-up set.