Steve Hilton, the Republican candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump, officially launched his campaign for California governor on Wednesday, targeting voters who oppose Trump but are dissatisfied with the current Democratic leadership in the state.
Hilton, a British-born conservative commentator and former Fox News host, positioned himself as an alternative for Californians frustrated with Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration. Speaking at a news conference in Boyle Heights—near the site of a warehouse fire that stirred local outrage—Hilton criticized Democrats for neglecting working-class and Latino communities and failing to support small businesses. He highlighted issues such as low literacy rates and state government’s slow response to recent crises, including the June warehouse fire.
In addition to his remarks, Hilton purchased a full-page advertisement in the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle asking readers, “Can you be anti-Trump and still vote for me?” The ad featured a checklist of issues designed to appeal to voters who may disagree with Trump politically but still seek change at the state level. Items on the list included concerns about rising gas prices and the affordability of housing, alongside a call for combating climate change.
“This is about what we can do in our state to make life better for Californians,” Hilton said, emphasizing his campaign’s focus on pragmatic solutions rather than national partisan disputes. He promised to tackle affordability by lowering costs related to gas, electricity, taxes, and housing.
Acknowledging Trump’s unpopularity in California, Hilton stated he does not expect the former president to campaign for him in the state but expressed pride in having Trump’s endorsement. He argued that having a governor with a strong relationship to the federal administration would benefit California.
Hilton faces significant challenges in the November general election. He finished second behind Democrat Xavier Becerra in the June primary. Becerra, a former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and current California attorney general, leads Hilton by a wide margin in recent polls. A Public Policy Institute of California survey released this month indicated Becerra enjoying 61% support among likely voters, compared to 36% for Hilton.
No Republican has been elected to statewide office in California since 2006, underscoring the uphill battle Hilton confronts in this reliably Democratic state. However, his campaign contends that it offers a new approach from Republicans, focused on local issues and positive change rather than national party politics.
“People are looking for a positive alternative,” Hilton said. “We’re going to be fighting very hard.” He highlighted his extensive outreach, noting that in the past 18 months he has campaigned in nearly every county across California.