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Golf legend Phil Mickelson weighed in on California gas prices while praising the California GOP gubernatorial candidate. Steve Hilton for his plan to produce gas in the state to lower prices.
Mickelson shared his opinion in a series of social media posts on Wednesday.
In one post, the golfer shared a photo showing prices at a gas station in California exceeding $5 per gallon.
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Phil Mickelson ponders the question during a news conference June 13, 2022, at the Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, ahead of the U.S. Open. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bucati)
“This is sad and will only get worse,” Mickelson wrote.
In a follow-up post, Mickelson shared an interview with Hilton on Fox Business Network's “The Bottom Line” in which the candidate shared his support for the White House's plan to drill for offshore oil off the coast of California. Hilton said his plan and goal is to lower gas prices to $3 per gallon.
“Common sense at last,” Mickelson wrote.
Earlier this year, an analysis by USC professor Michael Misch found that Californians could pay up to $8.43 per gallon of gas next year as two oil refineries in the state plan to close.
Phil Mickelson watches his shot from the 11th tee during the first round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 24, 2021 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
“Any disruption to the supply of oil and foreign gasoline will exacerbate California's gasoline dilemma and drive up prices. Any disruptions to maritime markets, routes, ports, operations, etc. will have a significant impact on gasoline safety in California and consumer prices, as well as prices in Nevada and Arizona,” Mische wrote in May.
Meanwhile, Valero Energy Corp. announced it would likely close its Benicia refinery near San Francisco in April 2026, putting more than 400 jobs at risk and potentially raising prices even further.
Hilton, a leading GOP contender for governor in 2026, has made addressing gas prices a key campaign promise.
“Despite our state's abundant oil reserves, Democrats' climate policies are forcing Californians to pay the highest gas prices in the country (now about $5 per gallon), exceeding even Hawaiiin the middle of the Pacific Ocean,” Hilton wrote in a June op-ed on Fox News Digital.
“California's sky-high gas prices are a direct result of 15 years of one-party Democratic rule. Gavin Newsom, former vice president Kamala Harris and every other leading Democrat in the state supported this “war on fossil fuels,” endlessly bragging about “leading the world” on climate change.”
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Meanwhile, Mickelson has been active on social media this year, calling attention to various sociopolitical issues promoted by left-wing politicians and lawmakers while praising conservatives such as President Donald Trump, the late Charlie Kirk and now Hilton.
Mickelson is a former California resident who was born in San Diego and moved to Florida to avoid California's high taxes.
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