Trump's Endorsement of Steve Hilton Rocks California Governor Race
In a move that could dramatically reshape the political landscape, former President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind Republican candidate Steve Hilton in the California governor's race. This endorsement, announced on Monday via Truth Social, comes at a critical juncture and threatens to undermine Republican hopes of securing both spots in the November runoff election.
The Endorsement That Changes Everything
Trump declared his "COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT" for Hilton, pledging federal support should he win the presidency. "Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so," Trump wrote. This public backing arrives just days before California Republican delegates gather in San Diego to consider their own official endorsement, potentially influencing their decision-making process.
Who Is Steve Hilton?
Steve Hilton, a 50-year-old dual British-American citizen, brings a unique background to the race. He previously served as director of strategy for former British Prime Minister David Cameron before departing Downing Street in 2012 and relocating to California. Following his government service, Hilton became a prominent Fox News host before launching his gubernatorial campaign.
Despite having expressed openness to Trump's support, Hilton told Politico last week that the two had not discussed the race directly. "I'd be honored to have the president's endorsement, but I think the California governor's race is close to the last thing on his mind right now," he remarked.
Complicating Republican Strategy
The endorsement significantly complicates a carefully crafted Republican strategy built around California's unique jungle primary system. Under this system, the top two finishers in the June 3 primary advance to the November general election, regardless of party affiliation.
With Hilton and his main Republican rival, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, running nearly even with three leading Democrats—Congressman Eric Swalwell, former Congresswoman Katie Porter, and billionaire activist Tom Steyer—Republicans had hoped the two conservative candidates might split the vote evenly enough to secure both runoff spots.
Polling and Political Dynamics
According to a March poll conducted by the state's Democratic party, Hilton currently leads with likely voters at 16%, followed closely by Bianco at 14%. The three Democratic contenders—Swalwell, Porter, and Steyer—remain locked in a statistical tie at 10% each.
Rob Pyers, a political data analyst at California Target Book, suggests Trump's endorsement could have significant financial implications. "The endorsement would probably free up tens of millions of dollars for Democratic groups that had been preparing to spend heavily to boost one Republican candidate," Pyers explained. This strategic move, where Democrats support a weaker Republican candidate to avoid a general election shutout, has proven effective in previous election cycles.
Hilton's "Califordable" Platform
Hilton's campaign centers on his "Califordable" platform, which focuses aggressively on reducing living costs for Californians. In a recent interview with California Politics 360, he made several bold promises:
- Reducing gas prices to $3 per gallon
- Halving energy costs through deregulation
- Eliminating state income tax for residents earning $100,000 or less annually
The candidate has also proposed restricting Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented immigrants and launched a volunteer anti-fraud initiative called "Cal Doge." Hilton claims that waste and fraud in state programs have cost taxpayers more than $430 billion over five years.
On technology issues, Hilton maintains a skeptical stance toward regulating artificial intelligence and tech companies. He also advocates against children under 16 owning smartphones.
Historical Context and Election Timeline
While California remains a solidly Democratic state, Republicans have achieved success in statewide offices before. The last Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, served three terms from 2003 to 2011, demonstrating that conservative candidates can still win in the Golden State.
The primary election process begins with early voting starting May 23 and concluding on June 2. The official primary election occurs on June 3, with the top two vote-getters advancing to compete in the November general election.
As the race intensifies, Trump's endorsement has injected new uncertainty into what was already a complex political calculation. Both Republican and Democratic strategists are now reassessing their approaches in what promises to be one of the most closely watched gubernatorial contests of the 2026 election cycle.
