US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Steve Hilton for California governor, aiming to disrupt the state's Democratic dominance in a unique primary race.
US President Donald Trump has endorsed a former top adviser to ex-British PM David Cameron for California governor, shaking up an unusually unpredictable race in the heavily Democratic state. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared Republican candidate Steve Hilton would "be a great governor" while arguing that "Democrats have done an absolutely horrendous job" and that "people are fleeing" the state. This announcement marks a significant intervention in the 2026 election cycle, where Hilton is one of 10 total candidates running in the 2 June primary. Under California's unique top-two system, the top-two finishers, regardless of party, will advance to the general election.
Hilton, who now lives in California, previously served as a top aide to Cameron from 2010-12, but later grew critical of the Conservative prime minister's immigration policy. He subsequently hosted a Fox News show for several years and continues to contribute to the conservative news network. On Monday, Hilton posted on X that he was "deeply honored" to receive the Republican president's endorsement. He is running for office on a platform focused on lower taxes and cutting back the state budget, while aiming to help lower housing and other costs for families. Hilton joined Stanford University in California as a visiting scholar in 2012 and stated he was applying for US citizenship in 2019.
Despite the high-profile support, Trump's backing could become a hindrance if Hilton faces a Democrat in November's election in the liberal-leaning state. Democrats currently dominate California state politics, but Republicans viewed this as a rare chance to capture the governor's mansion because of a splintered Democratic field of candidates in the state's so-called jungle primary system. However, Trump's endorsement of Hilton may squeeze out the other Republican in the race, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, leaving the door ajar for a Democrat to become a top vote-winner. A March poll by the University of California, Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies rattled the political establishment, after it suggested Hilton and Bianco were ahead of the Democratic contenders. Historically, Republicans have not won a statewide election in California in two decades, making this endorsement a pivotal moment that could alter the trajectory of the entire race.
The endorsement of Donald Trump creates a complex dynamic for the California governor race, pitting a high-profile outsider against a fractured opposition. The recent polling data indicates a volatile landscape where the top two spots might not go to a Democrat, a rare occurrence given the state's political leanings. If Hilton's campaign benefits too much from the Trump association, it could split the Republican vote or alienate moderate voters, potentially allowing a Democrat to slip into the runoff. The interplay between Hilton's fiscal platform and the state's housing crisis remains a central point of contention for voters. As the June 2 primary approaches, the strategy of both major parties will likely shift to exploit the unique dynamics created by this specific endorsement and the ongoing debate over the "horrendous job" Democrats are perceived to be doing. The ultimate impact of this endorsement will depend on whether Hilton can maintain the momentum from the poll leading the race while navigating the potential backlash in a liberal stronghold.
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