Fox News contributor Liz Peek joined Fox Business’ “The Bottom Line” to break down California’s growing tax revolt — and what it could mean for the 2026 race for governor. With Republican Steve Hilton advancing to the general election against Democrat Javier Becerra, the panel weighed whether voter anger over taxes could reshape the bluest of blue states.
Peek pointed to a string of rejected tax measures as proof the mood is shifting: San Francisco voters just turned down a tax on companies with highly paid CEOs, Los Angeles County rejected a local sales-tax increase, and San Diego shot down a levy on second homes — following earlier defeats for a 2022 millionaire’s tax and a 2024 rent-control push.
“The turnout in this election was abysmal,” Peek said, arguing that Becerra is “an extremely boring, traditional Democrat” with “no fire” and “no message.” Hilton, by contrast, “has a message,” she said: “70 percent of California voters want change. He is promising change and he will deliver.”
Peek added that the discontent runs deeper than taxes alone — California is “the most expensive place in the country to live.” Her advice to Hilton: don’t run against Democrats, run against a broken system. “Just say this isn’t working. Let’s change it.”
