Republican statewide candidates make their pitch to Coachella Valley voters

Raymond Kalra

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Republican candidates running for several of California’s top statewide offices gathered in Rancho Mirage on Monday, using a candidate forum to make their case to Coachella Valley voters ahead of the November election.

The event brought together candidates running for governor, lieutenant governor, state controller and other statewide offices.

While the forum included sharp criticism of Democratic leadership in Sacramento, much of the discussion centered on what the candidates say they would do differently if elected — including proposals involving affordability, housing, education, state spending and local control.

News Channel 3 spoke one-on-one with several of the candidates to ask what their proposals would mean specifically for people living in the Coachella Valley.

Hilton focuses on affordability, housing and energy costs

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton said affordability remains a central part of his campaign.

Hilton told News Channel 3 that he wants to reduce government fees and regulations tied to new housing construction. He said his plan would cap what he described as roughly $200,000 in government-related costs on a new home at $50,000.

“That immediately takes $150,000 off the cost of a new home,” Hilton said.

Hilton also said he is campaigning on a goal of bringing California gas prices down to $3 per gallon and eliminating state income tax on the first $150,000 of an individual’s income.

Those are campaign proposals and have not been independently verified by News Channel 3 as guaranteed cost reductions.

Hilton also addressed utility costs, an issue that can be especially significant for Coachella Valley residents during the desert’s hottest months.

He argued that California should make greater use of geothermal energy, hydropower and natural gas generation in addition to solar and wind power. Hilton specifically pointed to geothermal resources in Imperial County as one area he believes could be expanded.

When asked what his governorship would mean specifically for the Coachella Valley, Hilton said he favors giving cities and counties more control over decisions that affect their communities.

“I actually believe in local control,” Hilton said, adding that he would like to give local governments more authority and incentives on issues such as housing development.

Controller candidate Herb Morgan targets state spending

Republican state controller candidate Herb Morgan focused heavily on state finances and transparency.

Morgan told News Channel 3 that he believes California’s affordability problems are tied in part to how state money is managed.

He said his proposal would make state spending more accessible online and argued that stronger financial controls could reduce fraud and waste.

“With my plan for transparency to put all spending online to reduce or eliminate the fraud, I believe we can save about $80 billion a year,” Morgan said.

The $80 billion figure is Morgan’s estimate and was not independently verified by News Channel 3.

Morgan said he believes any savings could then be used to support tax reductions and lower other costs for Californians.

Asked to localize his campaign for Coachella Valley voters, Morgan pointed to infrastructure and education as two areas where he believes better state financial management could make a difference.

“Here in Coachella Valley, you’re like a lot of places. You want good infrastructure. You want education that works,” Morgan said.

Romero makes education a central issue

Republican lieutenant governor candidate Gloria Romero said education is among the biggest issues she is hearing about from voters.

Romero, a professor emeritus in the California State University system, said she wants the state to place greater emphasis on college readiness and objective measures in university admissions.

“If we don’t prepare students for the workforce or for college, we are going to lose our competitiveness internationally,” Romero said.

Romero also said she wants greater transparency in government and changes to how California approaches education policy.

She told News Channel 3 she believes voters should hold her accountable for “bringing back transparency in government” and for pushing to restore standardized measures such as the SAT in the college admissions process.

Hawkes raises concerns about state bond debt

Republican candidate Jennifer Hawkes focused on California’s bond debt.

Hawkes said she wants voters to pay closer attention to long-term borrowing and argued that the state relies too heavily on bonds.

“We have $71 billion worth of bond debt in the state of California, with another 37 sitting out there that’s already been approved,” Hawkes said, adding that she believes future generations will ultimately bear those costs.

Those figures are Hawkes’ characterization of the state’s debt picture and were not independently verified by News Channel 3 for this story.

Voters at the forum say they want change

People attending the event also spoke with News Channel 3 about what brought them to the forum.

John Gardner, who described himself as a Hilton supporter, said he believes California needs a change in direction.

“It’s time for a change in California,” Gardner said. He said he supports Hilton because he views him as someone coming from outside traditional politics.

Gardner also said he wanted to hear directly from candidates running for lower-profile statewide offices, saying he believes voters should pay attention to whether candidates have relevant professional backgrounds.

“We need qualified people in there,” Gardner said.

A policy-focused message, with partisan differences still clear

The forum was clearly partisan, and several candidates sharply criticized Democratic leaders and policies throughout the event.

But much of the discussion also focused on the candidates’ own proposals and what they say they would change if elected.

During the forum, Hilton described the Republican candidates appearing together as a team and argued that they share a broader vision for changing the direction of the state.

As the election approaches, News Channel 3 will continue speaking with candidates from both parties and examining what their proposals would cost, how they would be implemented and what they could mean for communities across the Coachella Valley.

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