BY COMFORT OGBONNA
Donald Trump has publicly endorsed former British political adviser and television host Steve Hilton in the upcoming California gubernatorial race, offering a significant boost to Hilton’s campaign as the contest begins to attract national attention. Trump announced his endorsement on Monday through his Truth Social platform, praising Hilton and expressing confidence that he could help reshape the direction of the state if elected.
Hilton, who holds dual British and American citizenship, previously built his reputation in politics in the United Kingdom. He served as director of strategy to former British Prime Minister David Cameron and was widely considered one of Cameron’s closest advisers during his time at Downing Street. After leaving British politics in 2012, Hilton relocated to California, where he transitioned into media and commentary, becoming a well-known host on Fox News while continuing to speak about political reform and governance.
In his endorsement message, Trump highlighted his longstanding relationship with Hilton and expressed optimism about what he believes Hilton could accomplish in California. The former president wrote that he had known and respected Hilton for many years and argued that, with the right leadership and federal cooperation, the state could recover its economic strength and improve public safety. Trump concluded his message by declaring that Hilton had his “complete and total endorsement,” a phrase he has often used when backing candidates aligned with his political views.
California’s election rules create a unique dynamic for the governor’s race. Under state law, all candidates compete in an open primary election scheduled for June 2. Rather than separate party primaries, all contenders appear on the same ballot, and the two candidates who receive the most votes advance to the general election in November regardless of party affiliation. This system often results in unexpected matchups and forces candidates to compete for a broad range of voters from the beginning of the campaign.
Early polling suggests a tightly contested field that includes both Republican and Democratic figures. Hilton and Chad Bianco, the sheriff of Riverside County, are the two most prominent Republican contenders and are polling competitively alongside several Democrats. Among the Democratic candidates are Eric Swalwell, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives; former Representative Katie Porter; and billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer. Each candidate has begun positioning themselves to appeal to California’s large and politically diverse electorate.
Both Hilton and Bianco have expressed support for Trump, but their campaigns have largely focused on issues affecting Californians directly. Topics such as rising crime rates, housing costs, taxation, and the overall cost of living have dominated their messaging as they attempt to connect with voters concerned about everyday economic pressures. Hilton has also emphasized policy reforms and economic competitiveness, arguing that California must reduce regulatory burdens and encourage innovation to maintain its position as a global economic powerhouse.
The race is open because the current governor, Gavin Newsom, cannot run again due to California’s term-limit laws. Newsom has served as governor since 2019 and previously survived a high-profile recall election in 2021. His departure from the race ensures that the 2026 contest will determine a new leader for the nation’s most populous state.
Historically, Republicans have struggled to win statewide offices in California in recent years. The last Republican to hold the governor’s office was actor and former bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served from 2003 until 2011. Since then, Democrats have maintained a strong grip on statewide political positions, making the upcoming election a significant test for Republican candidates seeking to regain influence in the state.
Trump’s endorsement could energize conservative voters and bring additional national attention to Hilton’s campaign. At the same time, it may intensify the political battle in a state where Democratic candidates have historically dominated statewide elections. As the June primary approaches, candidates from both parties are expected to increase campaign efforts, fundraising, and outreach to secure one of the two spots in the decisive November showdown.
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