In the final stretch before California’s primary election, Republican gubernatorial candidates Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News host Steve Hilton appeared together at a forum in Clovis to make their closing arguments to Central Valley voters.

The event highlighted a largely civil tone between the two rivals, who have spent much of the campaign criticizing each other but focused their remarks on common political opponents, particularly Gov.Gavin Newsom and Democratic state leaders.

Hilton, backed by a Donald Trump endorsement and leading in some polls, and Bianco both sought to position themselves as the strongest Republican contender capable of advancing through California’s top-two “jungle primary” system.Both candidates outlined broadly conservative agendas centered on public safety, water management, housing development, and regulatory rollback.

They criticized state environmental and regulatory agencies and pledged to expand water storage infrastructure such as dams to support agriculture in the Central Valley.

Bianco emphasized a tough-on-crime platform and vowed to overhaul parole and public safety institutions, while Hilton argued for reducing regulatory barriers to energy, housing, and water use.

Despite occasional policy differences, both echoed concerns common among Central Valley voters, including perceptions of political neglect from coastal urban centers and frustrations over water policy and economic pressures.The forum, hosted by a local Republican women’s group, drew about 450 attendees and featured a dinner themed around presidential favorites.

Attendees and speakers reflected strong conservative sentiment in the region, with Trump’s influence still prominent despite his low approval ratings statewide.Recent polling showed Hilton leading the race, followed closely by Democrat Xavier Becerra, with Bianco trailing.

The event underscored both candidates’ efforts to consolidate Republican support while appealing to swing voters in a state that remains heavily Democratic.