Steve Hilton criticizes Chamber of Commerce endorsement of Xavier Becerra in California governor race

Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for California governor, criticized the Chamber of Commerce’s endorsement of Democrat Xavier Becerra, calling it “embarrassing” and “truly pathetic” in comments reported by the New York Post on June 17. Hilton’s remarks were made in response to the business group’s decision to back Becerra following a board meeting with him, according to the report.

The New York Post said the Chamber of Commerce, described as a 136-year old organization representing major employers, endorsed a Democratic governor candidate for the first time. The endorsement followed what the report characterized as a meeting between the Chamber’s board and Becerra.

Hilton argued, in the comments published by the Post, that the Chamber’s decision reflected failed leadership and suggested the endorsement did not align with the priorities the organization typically associated with its members. The report characterized Hilton’s critique as directed at the endorsement itself rather than a court or legislative action.

Becerra’s candidacy as a Democrat governor contender is the focus of the Chamber’s endorsement decision described in the report. The Post also characterized the Chamber as a powerful business group, and said the organization’s board action was part of the endorsement process.

Neither the Post article summary nor any additional primary documentation was included in the provided material about the Chamber’s voting procedure, the date of the board meeting, or the specific endorsement materials or policy platform the board relied on. As presented in the report, the key public event is the endorsement and Hilton’s immediate reaction.

The Chamber endorsement, as described, is not itself a legal filing or election administration change, but it can affect how voters, employers, and allied groups view candidates. In California’s gubernatorial contest, endorsements can also factor into advertising decisions and staffing priorities, though no such downstream steps were described in the provided reporting.

Hilton’s criticism lands amid broader scrutiny of endorsements by large interest groups in state races. The next practical developments would depend on whether the Chamber publishes further information about the basis for its endorsement and whether other political organizations respond to the endorsement and Hilton’s rebuttal.