Election countdown: Steve Hilton talks jobs, Xavier Becerra hangs with LGBTQ leaders

With four days to go until the election, Steve Hilton targeted homelessness and California’s high cost of living in Sacramento, while Xavier Becerra met with LGBTQ+ leaders in San Francisco.

The Republican and Democratic rivals made their closing pitches Friday ahead of the campaign’s final weekend, with Hilton planning a three-stop swing through the capital and Becerra preparing to campaign alongside a roster of Democratic allies.

Becerra joined San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie at a Friday morning reception, before heading south to share the stage with Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday at Hollywood’s Palladium.

The final push follows another round of sparring over affordability, after Hilton attacked Becerra on Thursday for leaving open the possibility of a mileage tax during a KCRA interview.

“As governor, I will veto the mileage tax,” Hilton told The California Post.

Becerra’s campaign pushed back against suggestions that he had embraced the idea.

“Secretary Becerra has not proposed a mileage tax,” campaign spokesperson Jonathan Underland told The Post.

Becerra’s Thursday schedule also included an appearance at Los Angeles’ Grand Central Market, a get-out-the-vote event and business walk with Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez, a CHIRLA Action Fund phone bank and a reception with Asian American and Pacific Islander community leaders.

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Hilton brought his affordability argument to the governor’s backyard, pairing criticism of Democratic leadership with proposals on job training and homelessness.

His first stop is the California Construction College Academy, where he is scheduled to announce a plan to expand hands-on training in construction, manufacturing and engineering.

His campaign says the proposal would help young people find good-paying jobs while addressing workforce shortages.

Later in the afternoon, Hilton is scheduled to visit Loaves & Fishes to announce a homelessness plan his campaign says would deliver “more effective solutions” that improve public safety and help people get off the streets.

He will finish the day with a 5:30 p.m. rally at Cal Expo focused on the cost of living and pressures facing Sacramento-area families after 16 years of Democratic governors.

Becerra’s Friday schedule began with a San Francisco reception, and his weekend itinerary will take him from the Central Valley to Southern California.

On Saturday, Becerra is scheduled to campaign in Modesto with Democratic Rep. Adam Gray. Becerra will then travel to Oceanside for a Sunday appearance with Democratic officials and candidates, including state Senate leader Monique Limón, Sen. Catherine Blakespear and Assembly candidate Mara Elliott.

Becerra is then scheduled to join Democratic Rep. Dave Min in Irvine that afternoon before heading to Los Angeles for the 4 p.m. rally with Newsom.

The “Stop the Power Grab” event at the Hollywood Palladium will focus on the approaching election and key contests up and down the ballot.