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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Dani Anguiano

Republicans criticize ‘creepy’ innuendo-filled Steve Hilton campaign ad

Steve Hilton, bald with a grey beard, wears a dark polo shirt with a neutral expression
California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton attends a roundtable discussion with film and TV industry leaders in Los Angeles, California, on 15 September 2026. Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters

Steve Hilton, the Republican candidate for California governor, is receiving heavy criticism from members of his own party over a controversial, sexual innuendo-filled campaign ad that’s been described as “creepy”.

The video entitled “Just Try It, California” was released last week and depicts two young women with brightly colored hair, sitting on a bed in front of a pride flag in low lighting. One nervously says “I can’t believe I’m doing this”, while another strokes her hair and coaxes “don’t be nervous, it’s not that bad” before guiding her to fill out a ballot for Hilton and aggressively commanding “lick it”.

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