California · Governor · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on water?
- Xavier BecerraDemocrat
- Steve HiltonRepublican
Part of the full California Governor comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Water
Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.
Documented positions
Xavier Becerra
Has offered no specific water proposals, CalMatters reports; defends his water-related lawsuits as attorney general, saying water in California should be regulated by California.
Show the evidence (3)Hide the evidence
- Public statementOct. 2026
CalMatters reported in October 2026 that he has offered no specific water proposals and has none on his campaign website. At a Fresno forum during the primary campaign he said, "We have to do a far better job of storage, of conveyance," and of conservation and distribution, and asked about the Delta tunnel at a January forum hosted by California Environmental Voters and others, he said, "We should never say no to anything until we’ve examined it completely" and that "everything should be on the table." 2 sourcesHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Oct. 10, 2026 · NewsHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters, via Jefferson Public Radio · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
- Past actionFeb. 20, 2020
As attorney general, filed a lawsuit in February 2020, with the California Natural Resources Agency and CalEPA, challenging federal biological opinions that allowed additional water exports from the Delta, arguing they failed to protect endangered fish species. In May 2020 a federal district court granted the state a preliminary injunction. 2 sourcesAttorney General Becerra Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration for Failing to Protect Endangered Species in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers (opens in a new tab)California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General · Feb. 20, 2020 · GovernmentAttorney General Becerra Secures Preliminary Injunction in Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration Over Failure to Protect California's Ecosystems (opens in a new tab)California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General · May 11, 2020 · Government
- Public statementSept. 30, 2026
In the Sept. 30, 2026 debate, after Hilton described his water lawsuits as attorney general as "suing to stop our farmers getting the water that they need," said Trump "was trying to impose his standards on California when it comes to water infrastructure" and that "We have a right to make sure water in California is regulated by California." 2 sourcesHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Oct. 10, 2026 · NewsHilton, Becerra clash over affordability, Trump and Newsom in California governor debate (opens in a new tab)KMPH FOX26 · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 2026
CalMatters reported in October 2026 that he has offered no specific water proposals and has none on his campaign website. At a Fresno forum during the primary campaign he said, "We have to do a far better job of storage, of conveyance," and of conservation and distribution, and asked about the Delta tunnel at a January forum hosted by California Environmental Voters and others, he said, "We should never say no to anything until we’ve examined it completely" and that "everything should be on the table." 2 sourcesHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Oct. 10, 2026 · NewsHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters, via Jefferson Public Radio · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
- Past actionFeb. 20, 2020
As attorney general, filed a lawsuit in February 2020, with the California Natural Resources Agency and CalEPA, challenging federal biological opinions that allowed additional water exports from the Delta, arguing they failed to protect endangered fish species. In May 2020 a federal district court granted the state a preliminary injunction. 2 sourcesAttorney General Becerra Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration for Failing to Protect Endangered Species in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers (opens in a new tab)California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General · Feb. 20, 2020 · GovernmentAttorney General Becerra Secures Preliminary Injunction in Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration Over Failure to Protect California's Ecosystems (opens in a new tab)California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General · May 11, 2020 · Government
- Public statementSept. 30, 2026
In the Sept. 30, 2026 debate, after Hilton described his water lawsuits as attorney general as "suing to stop our farmers getting the water that they need," said Trump "was trying to impose his standards on California when it comes to water infrastructure" and that "We have a right to make sure water in California is regulated by California." 2 sourcesHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Oct. 10, 2026 · NewsHilton, Becerra clash over affordability, Trump and Newsom in California governor debate (opens in a new tab)KMPH FOX26 · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
Steve Hilton
Supports more water storage, including Sites Reservoir and raising Shasta Dam, and fewer endangered-species rules on water deliveries; opposes the Delta tunnel.
Show the evidence (2)Hide the evidence
- Public statementOct. 2026
Supports building Sites Reservoir, the Trump administration's proposal to raise Shasta Dam, and more desalination and water recycling, with fewer endangered-species rules on water deliveries; he said his goal is to "rebalance the system in favor of agriculture and domestic use". A 2024 plan he wrote with Edward Ring of the California Policy Center estimated costs of up to $150 billion, assuming regulatory reforms. 2 sourcesHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Oct. 10, 2026 · NewsHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters, via Jefferson Public Radio · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 2026
Opposes the Delta tunnel (the Delta Conveyance Project), telling CalMatters, "I’m totally against it." 2 sourcesHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Oct. 10, 2026 · NewsHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters, via Jefferson Public Radio · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 2026
Supports building Sites Reservoir, the Trump administration's proposal to raise Shasta Dam, and more desalination and water recycling, with fewer endangered-species rules on water deliveries; he said his goal is to "rebalance the system in favor of agriculture and domestic use". A 2024 plan he wrote with Edward Ring of the California Policy Center estimated costs of up to $150 billion, assuming regulatory reforms. 2 sourcesHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Oct. 10, 2026 · NewsHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters, via Jefferson Public Radio · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 2026
Opposes the Delta tunnel (the Delta Conveyance Project), telling CalMatters, "I’m totally against it." 2 sourcesHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Oct. 10, 2026 · NewsHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters, via Jefferson Public Radio · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
In their own words
Statements
Xavier Becerra
State authority over water policy
Donald Trump was trying to impose his standards on California when it comes to water infrastructure. We have a right to make sure water in California is regulated by California
Xavier Becerra · General-election debate with Steve Hilton, hosted by CNN in Burbank, responding to Hilton's criticism of his water lawsuits as attorney general, as reported by CalMatters · Sept. 30, 2026
2 sourcesHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Oct. 10, 2026 · NewsHilton, Becerra clash over affordability, Trump and Newsom in California governor debate (opens in a new tab)KMPH FOX26 · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
Steve Hilton
Water supply and storage
We can and should have abundant water in California, and there’s no reason that we don’t other than bad policy and mismanagement
Steve Hilton · Phone interview with CalMatters on water policy, published October 2026 · Oct. 2026
2 sourcesHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Oct. 10, 2026 · NewsHow would Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton manage California's most precious resource, water? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters, via Jefferson Public Radio · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
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