Steve Hilton, Leading Republican Candidate for California Governor, Promises $3-Per-Gallon Gas If Elected

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Steve Hilton, a leading Republican candidate in the 2026 California gubernatorial race and former Fox News host, has made lowering gasoline prices to $3 per gallon his first major campaign promise if elected governor.

In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) on March 27, 2026, Hilton stated: "My first promise as Governor of California: $3 gas. We have the reserves. We have the resources. What we haven't had is a leader willing to use them." He argued that California could become an "energy powerhouse" by tapping its substantial oil reserves and moving away from what he described as "radical green ideology." @SteveHiltonx

Hilton's plan centers on unlocking domestic oil production, including in the Sacramento Basin-one of the largest oil reserves in the United States-and easing state regulations on drilling, refining, and emissions standards enforced by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). He has proposed cutting the state gas tax in half, eliminating certain low-carbon fuel standards and other environmental policies he says inflate costs, and keeping refineries operational. Hilton contrasts California's prices with the national average and notes that many other states maintain gas prices at or below $3 per gallon.

stevehiltonforgovernor.com

As of late March 2026, California's average price for regular unleaded gasoline stands at approximately $5.84 per gallon, according to AAA data-far above the national average of around $3.98. The state's high prices are driven by a combination of factors: the nation's highest gas taxes and fees (often exceeding $1 per gallon, including a roughly 61-cent excise tax), requirements for cleaner-burning reformulated gasoline unique to California, stringent emissions regulations, and recent global pressures from the conflict in Iran that have pushed crude oil costs higher. Some analysts have warned of prices potentially climbing further without policy changes, amid refinery closures and reduced in-state production capacity.

Hilton, who has topped some early polls among Republican voters in the fragmented primary field, frames the issue as part of a broader "affordability crisis" affecting working families and small businesses under 16 years of Democratic one-party rule. He argues that California sits on massive untapped reserves yet relies heavily on imported oil, and that deregulation-while still protecting the environment-could align the state's prices more closely with the rest of the country.

The pledge has drawn support from voters frustrated with high fuel costs but also skepticism from critics who warn that rolling back emissions rules could worsen air quality in a state long plagued by smog and pollution concerns. Some point out that California's unique gasoline formulation and environmental programs were designed to reduce health impacts from vehicle emissions. Democrats in the race have also floated temporary gas tax suspensions or targeted regulatory relief in response to the current price spike.

Whether Hilton could deliver on the $3 promise as governor remains uncertain. The position holds significant influence over state energy and environmental policy, but factors like global oil markets, federal regulations, refinery infrastructure, and potential legal challenges would all play roles. Hilton has positioned the goal as an initial target, with potential for even lower prices through broader reforms.The June 2026 primary will determine the nominees for the general election in this deeply blue state, where energy costs and affordability have emerged as central campaign themes.