Steve Hilton, the Republican candidate for governor, held a general election campaign kickoff event in Boyle Heights Wednesday in a bid to rally support from working-class Latino voters, who he says have been let down by years of Democratic policies.
Hilton made his appearance at N&M Auto Body Shop, directly across the street from the Lineage Logistics cold food storage warehouse that recently burned and heavily impacted Boyle Heights and unincorporated areas of East Los Angeles. Hilton said he chose the site because it represents the “rotting regime” of Democrats.
“Think about the people who live here, who had to put up with this,” Hilton said in his remarks. “This is the symbol of Democrat failure.”
Residents near the warehouse have filed more than 900 odor complaints with the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and the agency issued six notices of violation against Lineage for creating a public nuisance. Regulators also directed the company to implement more than two dozen additional odor-control measures.
Locals have complained of persistent and foul stenches emitting from rotting food as the company continues work to clean up the storage building. Residents have raised concerns about their health and possible adverse long-term effects due to the warehouse fire.
Hilton is set to face off against Democrat and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Beccera in November. The two were the top vote-getters from the June primary election, as they seek to succeed outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is in his final term.
Born in the United Kingdom, Hilton previously worked as an aide to former Prime Minister David Cameron, emigrated to the United States and became a U.S. citizen in 2021. President Donald Trump endorsed Hilton for governor in the primary.
Hilton told reporters he would be honored to have Trump’s support in the general election, but they have not discussed the matter.
“I’m a pragmatic problem solving change-maker,” Hilton said. “We may not agree about national politics, but I think we can agree we need change in California. So many people are desperate to see that.”
Hilton was joined by Gloria Romero, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor. Romero, a former state senator, will face State Treasurer Fiona Ma in November.
Wait a minute, endorsed by Chump? Nah.