The race for California Governor just got a significant shake-up, as former President Donald Trump officially threw his full support behind Republican candidate Steve Hilton. This high-profile endorsement, announced on Truth Social, injects new energy and a layer of unpredictability into a gubernatorial contest already brimming with complexity. As California prepares for its unique “top-two” primary system, Trump’s backing for the former UK political strategist and conservative media personality could reshape the dynamics, offering both a potential boost and a formidable challenge for Hilton in the heavily Democratic state.
Trump’s High-Stakes Endorsement for California’s Top Job
In a move that immediately captured political headlines, Donald Trump declared his “COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT” for Steve Hilton California governor. Taking to Truth Social, the former president lauded Hilton, stating he would “be a great governor” and criticizing current Democratic leadership for what he called an “absolutely horrendous job” in the Golden State. Trump suggested that the current policies were causing people to “flee” California and pledged federal assistance if Hilton were elected. Hilton, in turn, expressed deep honor for the endorsement via a post on X, acknowledging the significant boost to his campaign.
This endorsement is particularly noteworthy given California’s consistent lean towards Democratic politics, where Republicans haven’t secured a statewide election victory in two decades. Trump’s intervention highlights the perceived opportunity for Republicans this cycle, stemming from a crowded Democratic field in the upcoming primary.
Who is Steve Hilton? From Downing Street to the Golden State
Steve Hilton’s journey to the California gubernatorial race is a fascinating one, blending international political strategy with American media prominence. Born in the UK to Hungarian immigrant parents who fled communism, an experience he credits with shaping his appreciation for freedom, Hilton attended Oxford University before embarking on a distinguished career in British politics. He worked for the Conservative Party during Margaret Thatcher’s era and later became a key strategist and senior advisor to former British Prime Minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2012. He was instrumental in modernizing the Conservative image, contributing to Cameron’s 2010 election win.
After growing critical of Cameron’s immigration policies, Hilton moved to California in 2012, joining Stanford University as a visiting scholar. He applied for US citizenship in 2019 and became a citizen in 2021. In the US, Hilton gained widespread recognition as the host of “The Next Revolution with Steve Hilton” on Fox News from 2017 to 2023, and he continues to contribute to the conservative network. He also launched “The Steve Hilton Show” podcast, aiming to provide a platform for change in California.
Hilton’s “Californiable” Platform: Addressing the Cost of Living
Hilton’s campaign for California governor is built on a platform he calls “Californiable,” focusing squarely on economic relief and combating the state’s high cost of living. His core promises include:
Lowering Gas Prices: A bold pledge to reduce gas to $3.00 per gallon.
Halving Energy Costs: Aiming to cut electricity bills by 50% through deregulation.
Tax Relief: Eliminating state income tax on the first $100,000 of earnings.
Housing Affordability: Implementing measures to make housing more accessible for families.
- Budget Cuts & Anti-Fraud: Proposing to cut 18% of the state budget, eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse in government, and tackle corruption in Sacramento. He launched “CalDOGE,” an anti-fraud initiative claiming billions in state waste.
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He champions prioritizing “common sense ahead of ideology” and vows to “make California truly Golden Again.” Hilton also holds unique views on technology, expressing skepticism about AI and advocating against smartphone ownership for children under 16.
Understanding California’s “Jungle Primary” System
California operates under a “top-two” or “jungle primary” system for statewide elections, including the California gubernatorial race. Scheduled for June 2, this primary features 10 candidates, including eight Democrats and two Republicans (Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco). Under this system, the two candidates who receive the most votes, regardless of their party affiliation, advance to the general election in November. Current Governor Gavin Newsom is term-limited, opening the field.
This system creates a unique strategic landscape. Historically, Republicans had hoped that a fragmented Democratic field could split the liberal vote sufficiently, allowing both Hilton and Bianco to secure the top two spots. Such a scenario would effectively lock out any Democratic candidate from the general election ballot, offering Republicans a rare, albeit challenging, path to the governorship in this blue stronghold. This strategy hinges on the assumption that Republican voters would unite behind their two candidates, while Democrats would remain splintered.
The Double-Edged Sword: Trump’s Endorsement Impact
Donald Trump’s endorsement of Steve Hilton California governor is a powerful, yet complicated, factor. On one hand, it provides Hilton with significant visibility, fundraising potential, and a clear signal to Trump’s loyal base. Hilton is already a top fundraiser in the race, backed by figures like Rupert Murdoch and tech executives.
However, the endorsement could also be a hindrance. Trump has historically high disapproval ratings in California, a deeply liberal state. Aligning too closely with the former president might alienate independent and moderate voters necessary to win a general election, especially if Hilton faces a Democrat in November. Political data analysts like Rob Pyers suggest the endorsement could even free up “tens of millions of dollars for Democratic groups,” altering their primary spending strategies.
Furthermore, Trump’s backing may inadvertently “squeeze out” the other prominent Republican, Chad Bianco. While the initial GOP strategy aimed for both Republicans to advance by splitting the conservative vote, a strong, consolidated push behind Hilton, driven by Trump’s endorsement, could leave Bianco behind. This scenario, if it prevents Bianco from securing a top-two spot, could open the door for a Democrat to easily become one of the top vote-winners, simplifying the general election for the Democratic Party.
The Republican Paradox: Intra-Party Battles Amidst Opportunity
Despite the strategic advantage presented by California’s top-two primary, the relationship between Republican candidates Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco has been marked by fierce intra-party attacks. Both candidates are running traditional campaigns, seemingly more focused on consolidating Republican support by attacking each other than on a unified strategy to secure both primary spots. GOP strategist Rob Stutzman described this as an “amazing irony,” noting it “cuts against human nature and cuts against the way you put together campaigns.”
Hilton has accused Bianco of having “too much baggage” related to liberal causes, referencing a video of Bianco kneeling during 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. Bianco, in turn, has labeled Hilton a “fraud amongst Republicans,” citing Hilton’s past work for Conservative UK Prime Minister David Cameron and his co-founding of Crowdpac, a political crowdfunding platform that later rebranded to exclusively support Democrats. This internal strife risks undermining the very opportunity the jungle primary system provides.
Polling and the Democratic Alarm
Prior to Trump’s endorsement, a March poll by the University of California, Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies had already rattled the political establishment. It suggested that both Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco were ahead of the Democratic contenders, sparking alarm within the Democratic Party. This finding reportedly prompted top state party officials to call for some candidates to drop out of the California gubernatorial race to consolidate the vote and prevent a Republican lockout. The same Berkeley poll indicated Congressman Eric Swalwell, former Congresswoman Katie Porter, and billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer had the most support among the eight Democrats running. The tight race highlights the unpredictability of voter sentiment leading up to the primary.
Chad Bianco: The Other Republican Contender
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco presents himself as a contrasting figure to Hilton, with a three-decade law enforcement background. Bianco, a former member of the Oath Keepers, gained notoriety for resisting state COVID-19 mandates and opposes school vaccination laws. While he has criticized California’s sanctuary law, he clarified his deputies do not enforce immigration laws. His tenure has faced scrutiny over a spike in jail deaths, leading to a state investigation.
Bianco’s platform largely mirrors Hilton’s on deregulation, with both criticizing Democratic environmental policies for contributing to high living costs. He advocates for reversing prison closures, boosting oil production to lower gas prices, and eliminating the state’s 61-cents-a-gallon gas tax. Bianco also aims to use oil revenues to eliminate the income tax entirely. He aligns himself subtly with Trump, having endorsed his 2024 re-election, and initiated a controversial ballot recount in Riverside County, though he denies political motivation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Steve Hilton and what are his key campaign promises for California Governor?
Steve Hilton is a former UK political strategist, senior advisor to ex-PM David Cameron, and a conservative media personality who hosted a show on Fox News. He became a US citizen in 2021 and is now running for California governor. His “Californiable” platform focuses on economic relief, promising to cut gas prices to $3 per gallon, halve electricity bills, make the first $100,000 of income tax-free, and reduce housing costs. He also advocates for significant state budget cuts and an anti-fraud initiative (“CalDOGE”).
How does California’s “top-two” primary system work, and why is it significant in this race?
California’s “top-two” or “jungle primary” system means that in the June 2 primary election, the two candidates who receive the most votes, regardless of their political party, will advance to the general election in November. This system is highly significant because, with eight Democrats and only two Republicans (Hilton and Bianco) in the race, there was an initial Republican hope that a fragmented Democratic vote could allow both GOP candidates to secure the top two spots, effectively locking Democrats out of the general election.
What are the potential implications of Donald Trump’s endorsement for Steve Hilton’s campaign in California?
Donald Trump’s “COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT” provides Steve Hilton with a major boost in visibility, fundraising potential, and strong support from Trump’s base. However, it also carries potential drawbacks. Given Trump’s high unpopularity in liberal-leaning California, the endorsement could alienate moderate and independent voters. Furthermore, while initially seen as a way to unite Republican votes, the endorsement might “squeeze out” the other GOP contender, Chad Bianco, potentially clearing a path for a Democrat to secure one of the top-two primary spots, which could simplify the general election for Democrats.
Conclusion
The endorsement of Steve Hilton California governor by Donald Trump has undoubtedly elevated the profile and complexities of the California gubernatorial race. From Steve Hilton’s unique background as a UK strategist and Fox News personality to his ambitious “Californiable” platform focused on economic relief, the contest is a microcosm of broader political debates. California’s distinct “jungle primary” system adds another layer of intrigue, presenting both rare opportunities and significant strategic challenges for all candidates involved. As the June 2 primary approaches, all eyes will be on how this high-stakes endorsement ultimately shapes the race, and whether the Republican Party can leverage or overcome the unique dynamics of the Golden State’s political landscape.
