Los Angeles—California Republican gubernatorial candidate
Steve Hilton strongly criticized the situation in downtown Los Angeles,
particularly the homelessness crisis, garbage, and unsanitary conditions that
persist in some areas of the city.
During a recent interview, Hilton described downtown Los
Angeles as a scene straight out of the Middle Ages and asserted that the
streets reek of urine and feces. His remarks came after a visit to Skid Row,
one of the city's areas with a historically high concentration of homeless
people.
"It's like a dystopian movie," Hilton said,
referring to what he observed downtown, where he also noted the presence of
garbage, graffiti, and people struggling with addiction.
The Republican blamed local authorities for allowing the
problem to continue for years despite the money allocated to combat the
homelessness crisis.
Hilton outlined a strategy focused on clearing encampments,
providing treatment for people with addictions, and offering mental health
care. He also pledged that, if elected governor, he would set a deadline for cities
to improve their street conditions and warned that if they failed to do so, he
would deploy state law enforcement resources.
The candidate asserted that “change is coming this year” and
called on Californians to support a political transformation in the state.
His statements come at a time when homelessness, public
safety, and urban sanitation have become central issues in California's
political and civic debate, particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.