Hilton Ad Backlash

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Faces Severe Backlash Over Provocative Campaign Ad

Republican California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has faced criticism from his own party over a provocative campaign advertisement. The ad, which depicts two young women sitting on a bed with an LGBTQ+ flag, has been described as sexually suggestive and provocative. Michael Gates, the Republican candidate for attorney general, denounced the use of young women as a political tool, while Sonja Shaw, the GOP candidate for state superintendent of public instruction, called the ad "creepy, weird, disturbing garbage". Hilton defended the ad in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, stating it was a provocative and humorous way of making a point. The backlash comes as Hilton tries to close a significant polling gap with Democrat Xavier Becerra in the final month of the race.

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