Steve Hilton
Role at the time: Republican candidate for governor of California
Statement summary
Asked whether Sheriff Bianco took the right step in seizing the ballots, Steve Hilton said he was "not going to weigh in" because he did not have knowledge of the facts, and added that he trusted Bianco was interested in ensuring the integrity of elections.
“I'm not going to weigh in on something that I don't have the knowledge of the facts on. I trust that Chad is interested in what we should all be interested in, which is ensuring the integrity of our elections and restoring faith in our elections in California.”
CNN's transcript of the televised Democratic and Republican gubernatorial debate. Moderator Kaitlan Collins asked Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton about Sheriff Chad Bianco's seizure of the Riverside County ballots, and Bianco replied.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Why we used this label
The reference point is the sheriff's seizure and handling of the ballots. Hilton was asked directly whether the seizure was the right step and expressly declined to weigh in; his expression of trust in Bianco's interest in election integrity does not say the seizure was lawful or justified.