Randeep S. Dhillon, an Indian-American Republican contesting California’s 2026 gubernatorial election, has come under social media scrutiny over his English fluency following the release of recent campaign videos.
Clips from his campaign were widely shared online, with some users mocking his speaking style and questioning his candidacy. A few posts criticised the contrast between his messaging on literacy and his delivery in the videos.
However, others defended Dhillon, arguing that his campaign should be judged on policy positions rather than language proficiency. Supporters said his focus on key issues such as affordability and economic challenges deserved attention.
Dhillon has centred his campaign on reducing the cost of living and tackling inflation. In one of his campaign messages, he emphasised the need to make California more affordable, highlighting rising housing, fuel, and grocery prices.
He also stressed that economic pressures are being felt across communities and called for practical, fact-based solutions to address them.
In his official candidate statement, Dhillon said he is contesting the election to offer “practical leadership focused on affordability, public safety, and long-term economic security.”
Meet Randeep Dhillon, who is running in California’s gubernatorial race. His most recent campaign ad shows him, barely speaking English, while claiming he somehow wants to fix literacy in CA.
— Liberacrat™️ (@ViralVideos) April 15, 2026
No this is not satire. Yes, this is very real.
“Make Affordable California Again!” 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/nWKHeIOGs7
