Steve Hilton, a candidate for governor in California, has initiated a campaign against his opponent Xavier Becerra, focusing on the topic of transgender athletes in sports. Hilton’s strategy appears aimed at appealing to Hispanic voters and women.
In a new Spanish-language advertisement, Hilton labels Becerra’s stance—supporting transgender boys participating in girls’ sports—as “extremism.” The ad depicts a large transgender soccer player, identifiable by a mustache, overpowering young girls while their father looks on in disbelief.
The footage includes a scene where the father exclaims, “Who allowed this?” as he witnesses the trans player bulldozing through the game. It transitions to an AI-generated version of Becerra, who is portrayed as casually watching the match and boasting about having allowed one of the girls to get hurt.
This marks a fresh angle for Hilton, who has been actively engaging with Latino voters—a demographic that constitutes about a third of the voting population in California. Hilton stated, “It was crucial to convey to Latino families that what they’re observing in schools isn’t a natural disaster, but rather a consequence of Democrat politicians’ actions.”
He claims that Latino parents have expressed significant concerns about educational issues, particularly around sports and locker rooms, as many desire fair opportunities for their children. Hilton argues that the perceived extreme ideologies infiltrating schools are increasingly frustrating for parents, especially when educational standards are falling short.
“Nearly two-thirds of Latino students in California fail to meet basic literacy standards. Why is that not the priority for politicians?” he continued. The advertisement showcases a father whose daughter is forced to compete against a biological male, stirring further controversy.
The narrative unfolds in East Los Angeles, featuring a coach encouraging the team while a father questions the inclusion of a new player who recently identified as a girl. As the action progresses, the trans player dominates the game, resulting in one girl getting injured, which alarms the father.
In another part, Becerra appears on-screen, declaring his support for boys in girls’ sports and asserting that he will maintain this stance as governor. As the father protests about injuries, Becerra simply responds with an apology, leaving the scene on a note of frustration for the father.
Throughout his time in office, Becerra has emphasized civil rights protections and has defended anti-discrimination laws. He was pivotal in supporting California’s AB1266, which allows students to participate in sex-segregated programs in line with their gender identity. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, he maintained that Title IX should include gender identity protections.
Becerra has wrestled with the ongoing debate against state-imposed bans on transgender participation in sports. He emphasizes his long-standing commitment to defending transgender rights and has highlighted the importance of respecting individual identities.
As the gubernatorial race intensifies, both candidates are vying for support, particularly from Hispanic voters. Recent polls show Becerra with a comfortable lead, although results from a survey commissioned by Hilton’s campaign hint at a closer race.
The contentious issue of transgender athletes has sparked nationwide debates, particularly in California, where this issue has become a flashpoint in youth sports. Concerns have arisen over instances where biological males have excelled in female competitions, raising questions among parents about fairness and safety.
Bill Essayli, a US attorney, criticized California’s approach as dismissive of parental rights and women’s concerns, arguing that policies allowing children to transition without parental awareness are problematic. He asserts that participation in sports should correspond with an athlete’s biological sex to ensure equity in competition.
Becerra’s office has been approached for comments regarding Hilton’s ad and the ongoing discourse surrounding transgender participation in sports.
