Both sides slam US politician’s ‘bizarre’, sexually suggestive ad
A US politician’s innuendo-laden ad likening voting for him to a sexual encounter has been decried by both parties.
Steve Hilton, who is running for governor of California as the Republican candidate, released the video over the weekend.
The ad features two young women in an innuendo-laden situation. Steve Hilton
In the 40-second video, two young women sit on a bed in front of a Pride flag.
"I’ve just never done anything like this before. What if my dad finds out?" one of the women says.
"Just try it. Give me your hand. Close your eyes, and I'll do all the work," the other woman replies.
A close-up of the first woman shows her biting her lip, gasping and giggling.
It is then revealed the second woman is helping her fill out a ballot paper, filling in the bubble next to Hilton's name.
As a Republican in California, Hilton would have an uphill battle at the best of times.
But polling shows Democrats are set for a massive win in November’s midterms, including in California.
The ad has been widely panned by critics. Steve Hilton
Hilton's ad has drawn ire from both sides of politics.
Conservative pastor and radio host Jack Hibbs described it as "grotesque" and "insensitive".
"Somebody on his team made an ignorant decision, and I'm furious," Hibbs said.
Sonja Shaw, who is also running on the same ballot as the Republican candidate for state superintendent, lambasted Hilton and the state party.
"This is a clear example of exactly why good people are walking away from the Republican Party," Shaw wrote on X.
"As a mother and someone who has fought to protect the innocence of children, this crosses a line. We have lost our way. Embarrassing."
Democrats have also panned the ad.
Steve Hilton moved to the US in 2012 and is now running for governor of California. AP Photo/Caroline Brehman
“This is a bizarre and desperate ad from a person who has attacked the LGBTQ+ community and stands with Donald Trump,” Congressman Robert Garcia said.
"Hilton is losing and more interested in AI slop than actually talking about issues Californians care about."
Hilton himself defended his video as a "provocative and humorous way of making a point".
"Overwhelmingly, the reaction has been positive," he said.
"We were trying to make a point in a provocative way, in a satirical way, no one was ever trying to offend anyone."
Hilton, a Fox News commentator, is 20 points behind Democrat Xavier Becerra in recent polls in the state.
In a debate between the two, Becerra highlighted how Hilton, who moved to the US from Britain in 2012, had backed Donald Trump’s deportation campaign.
"You seem to welcome immigrants who look like you, but deport immigrants who look like me," Becerra said.
Becerra was born in California to Mexican parents.
Xavier Becerra is heavily favoured to be the next governor of California. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
Becerra is advocating for a public health care system more in line with Australia than the current US model.
Posting a screenshot of an article about his health care plans, Becerra made a coy reference to Hilton's ad.
"Steve, just try it!"
Republicans have not occupied the governor’s mansion in California since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office after the 2010 elections.
Since then, the state has shifted substantially to the left.
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