GOP candidates condemn Steve Hilton's 'creepy' campaign ad

Sonja Shaw, the Republican nominee for California superintendent of public instruction, strongly condemned the ad, calling it "creepy, weird, disturbing garbage" and stating it "crosses a line" and demonstrates why "good people are walking away from the Republican Party."

Michael Gates, the party's nominee for state attorney general, also denounced the advertisement, stating he "emphatically [denounced] the use of young women as a political tool."

Hilton, a British former political adviser and Fox News host, is trailing in polls against his rival, Xavier Becerra, with the November midterms approaching. He faces an uphill battle in the heavily Democratic state, where Republicans have not won the governorship since 2004.

In response to the backlash, Hilton released a video acknowledging that some people were offended, though he maintained the ad was intended to be provocative and satirical. He expressed regret for upsetting people but asked for understanding and grace.

Becerra's campaign seized on the controversy, posting an article about his support for Medicare for All with a jab at Hilton: "Steve, just try it!"