Trump endorses ex-UK political aide Steve Hilton for California governor

Q: Why did Donald Trump endorse Steve Hilton for California governor?

Trump endorsed Steve Hilton because he believes Hilton would “be a great governor.” He also argued that Democrats have done a “horrendous job” in California and said people are leaving the state. The endorsement was meant to boost Hilton in a race Trump sees as unusually winnable for Republicans.

Q: Who is Steve Hilton and what is his background?

Steve Hilton is a Republican candidate for California governor and a former top adviser to ex-British Prime Minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2012. He later became critical of Cameron’s immigration policy and went on to host a Fox News show for several years. He also served as a visiting scholar at Stanford University and said in 2019 that he was applying for US citizenship.

Q: What is Steve Hilton campaigning on in the California governor race?

Hilton is running on a platform of lower taxes and cutting the state budget. He says he also wants to help reduce housing and other costs for California families. His campaign is aimed at voters frustrated with the state’s high cost of living.

Q: How does California’s primary system affect this governor’s race?

California uses a top-two “jungle primary” system, where all candidates compete together and the two highest vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party. That makes the race more unpredictable, especially with a large field and a split Democratic vote. Republicans see it as a rare opening in a state Democrats usually dominate.

Q: Who are the main opponents in the California governor race?

Hilton is one of 10 candidates in the 2 June primary, and the other Republican in the race is Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. Among Democrats, a March Berkeley poll showed congressman Eric Swalwell, former congresswoman Katie Porter, and billionaire Tom Steyer leading the field. Democrats have eight candidates running, which could divide their vote.

Trump endorses ex-UK political aide Steve Hilton for California governor

US President Donald Trump has endorsed a former top adviser to ex-British PM David Cameron for governor of California, shaking up an unusually unpredictable race in the heavily Democratic state.

In a Truth Social post, Trump declared Republican candidate Steve Hilton would "be a great governor". The president argued that "Democrats have done an absolutely horrendous job" in California and that "people are fleeing" the state.

Hilton is one of 10 total candidates running in the 2 June primary. The top-two finishers, regardless of party, will advance to the general election.

Republicans have not won a statewide election in California in two decades.

Hilton posted on X on Monday that he was "deeply honored" to receive the Republican president's endorsement.

But Trump's backing could become a hindrance if Hilton faces a Democrat in November's election in the liberal-leaning state.

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.

Hilton went on to host a Fox News show for several years, and continues to contribute to the conservative news network.

He is running for governor on a platform of lower taxes and cutting back the state budget, while helping lower housing and other costs for families.

Hilton joined Stanford University in California as a visiting scholar in 2012, and said he was applying for US citizenship in 2019.

Democrats 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.

Trump's endorsement of Hilton, however, 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.

Democrats became alarmed enough that top state party officials called for some candidates to drop out.

The University of California, Berkeley poll suggested that congressman Eric Swalwell, former congresswoman Katie Porter, and billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer had the most support among the eight Democrats running.

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