ICYMI National
Press Release
California Gubernatorial Debate Leaves Steve Hilton’s Plan to Let Anti-Abortion States Extradite California Doctors Unanswered
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Contact: [email protected]
California Gubernatorial Debate Leaves Steve Hilton’s Plan to Let Anti-Abortion States Extradite California Doctors Unanswered
Washington, DC — Tonight, seven candidates, Democrats: Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, and Antonio Villaraigosa, and Republicans: Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco faced off in the California gubernatorial debate hosted by CNN. Following the Louisiana v. FDA ruling last week, Reproductive Freedom for All called on tonight’s hosts to press Hilton on his comments supporting the extradition of a California doctor for providing abortion care. The question was never asked—leaving Hilton’s extremist position unchallenged and California voters without the answers they deserve.
As Trump’s endorsed candidate in this race, Hilton has made clear he would open the door to anti-abortion states reaching into California to drag doctors into their courts to face criminal charges for providing care that is legal. The majority of Californians support legal abortion—they should have heard him answer for that tonight.
Reproductive Freedom for All President and CEO Mini Timmaraju released the following statement:
“Tonight, Steve Hilton walked off the debate stage without being pressed on his promise to let states extradite California doctors to face criminal charges. Hilton would put the will of anti-abortion governors above his own constituents. California’s governor should answer to Californians. We are watching a national ban take shape in real time, and California deserves better than a governor who will help build it.”
Reproductive Freedom for All Senior Director of California Campaigns Kristin Slevin released the following statement:
“Tonight’s debate left Steve Hilton’s plan to hand California doctors who provide abortion care over to anti-abortion states completely unchallenged. Californians voted to protect abortion access, passed Prop 50, and have sent a reproductive freedom majority to Congress. Our 400,000 members will continue organizing to elect a governor who will serve the people, patients, and providers of this state.”
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For over 55 years, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America) has fought to protect and advance reproductive freedom at the federal and state levels—including access to abortion care, birth control, pregnancy and post-partum care, and paid family leave—for everybody. Reproductive Freedom for All is powered by its more than 4 million members from every state and congressional district in the country, representing the 8 in 10 Americans who support legal abortion.