Trump backs Steve Hilton in California governor race

April 7, 2026

Summary

Trump endorsed Republican Steve Hilton in California’s governor race ahead of the state’s June 2 primary.

Why this matters

Trump’s endorsement could influence the Republican field in California’s top-two primary. The race is also significant because Democrats have raised concerns that a split vote could affect who reaches the November ballot.

President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Steve Hilton in California’s governor race early Monday, backing a candidate in the crowded contest to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom.

“With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT.”

Trump called Hilton, a British immigrant and former strategist in U.K. politics, a “fine man,” saying he had known and respected him for many years.

Hilton’s campaign thanked Trump in a social media post, writing, “With President Trump’s full backing and federal support, we are going to take California back and make it better than ever before!”

Hilton, a former Fox News host, is running against Chad Bianco, the Republican sheriff of Riverside County, and eight major Democratic candidates in California’s June 2 primary. The state sends the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, to the November ballot.

Some Democrats have expressed concern that a large Democratic field could split the vote enough for Hilton and Bianco to advance, leaving Democrats out of the general election in a state that has not elected a Republican governor in nearly two decades.

In a November interview with CNN’s Elex Michaelson, Hilton blamed Democrats for California’s high housing costs and gas prices and said voters wanted change.

“On and on through every issue I’ll be making the case that it’s 15 years of one-party rule that have brought us to this point, where working families can barely afford to pay the bills, where we have the highest unemployment. That’s all the result of Democrat policies, not Donald Trump,” Hilton said.

According to his campaign website, Hilton attended Oxford University and began his political career with the U.K. Conservative Party during former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s tenure. He later worked in business, then returned to politics as a senior adviser to former Prime Minister David Cameron before moving to California in 2012.

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