San Jose Mayor Hosts GOP Candidate Steve Hilton Amid Homelessness Debate

San Jose’s Mayor Matt Mahan welcomed Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton for a tour of the Guadalupe Interim Housing Community while considering his own run for higher office. The visit underscores the pressing challenges of homelessness in California, as both leaders advocate for more aggressive measures to tackle the crisis.

During the tour on January 20, 2026, Hilton, a former Fox News host, emphasized the need for “practical” and “pragmatic” solutions to the homelessness issue. This marks a notable shift in his rhetoric, especially following his earlier criticisms of the Democratic leadership, which he described as allowing California to suffer from “third world slum conditions” at locations like Columbus Park. This park, located about a mile from the housing community, previously housed the city’s largest homeless encampment and has been the site of multiple incidents, including a fatal stabbing.

Under Mahan’s leadership since 2023, San Jose has moved away from the conventional Housing First model in favor of interim solutions. This strategy has resulted in more than doubling the city’s shelter capacity and successfully bringing over 1,000 unhoused individuals indoors in 2025. Mahan remarked, “We couldn’t wait for someone else to save us. We had to lean in,” highlighting the urgency of local action.

Hilton noted that San Jose’s approach aligns with his campaign message, stating, “As governor, what could I do to help make more of this happen across the state?” He expressed a desire to support local governments rather than dictate solutions. Hilton criticized the current administration of Gavin Newsom, claiming that it lacks the necessary support for municipalities to address homelessness effectively.

In response to Hilton’s remarks, Tara Gallegos, a spokesperson for Governor Newsom, dismissed his criticisms, stating, “San Jose built its tiny home interim housing site with millions in state funding, using programs created by Governor Newsom and the Legislature.” She emphasized that previous administrations did not provide a cohesive strategy for addressing homelessness.

The presence of Hilton alongside Mahan carries potential political implications in California, a state that has not elected a Republican to statewide office since Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006. According to former GOP strategist Dan Schnur, Hilton’s engagement with a respected Democratic mayor may help him connect with a broader voter base. Schnur noted, “There are just enough Republicans in California to get a candidate into the runoff, but there aren’t nearly enough to actually elect a Republican to statewide office.”

Hilton is the sixth gubernatorial candidate to tour one of San Jose’s interim housing sites. In December, Mahan hosted five Democratic candidates, including billionaire investor Tom Steyer and former Congresswoman Katie Porter, at a newly opened site on Cherry Avenue. Mahan aims to encourage candidates to make firm commitments regarding homelessness, stating, “We need a few key commitments from our next governor.”

Among these commitments are the restoration of Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention grants, funding for sober-living environments, and a framework that ensures every city and county shares responsibility for addressing homelessness. Mahan expressed frustration at not hearing clear plans from any candidates regarding homelessness, crime, or the high cost of living, which influences his own considerations about entering the gubernatorial race.

He concluded, “We have a lot of insight at the local level about what it takes to create change and to deliver better outcomes… I think I speak for most residents in feeling that we desperately need stronger, more pragmatic leadership on the issues that matter most to our community.”