Former British political adviser Steve Hilton has received a key endorsement from Donald Trump in his campaign for governor of California. The former president announced his support on Truth Social, declaring that Hilton would “be a great governor” for the state.
Trump’s endorsement marks a major shift in a race that has been defined by an unusually high number of candidates. California’s “jungle primary” system on June 2 allows the top two finishers, regardless of party affiliation, to advance to the general election.
“Democrats have done an absolutely horrendous job,” Trump wrote in his post, adding that “people are fleeing” the state. Hilton, who served as a top aide to former British Prime Minister David Cameron between 2010 and 2012, confirmed on X that he was “deeply honored” to receive the former president’s support.
A crowded field
Hilton is one of 10 candidates vying for the seat. While he moved to California in 2012 to serve as a visiting scholar at Stanford University, his path to the governor’s mansion faces significant hurdles. Republicans have not won a statewide election in California in two decades, and Trump’s endorsement could alienate moderate voters in the liberal-leaning state during a November runoff.
The race has already caused alarm among Democratic officials. A March poll from the University of California, Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies suggested that both Hilton and fellow Republican candidate Chad Bianco, the Riverside County Sheriff, were leading the pack. This polling data prompted Democratic leaders to urge some of their candidates to drop out of the race to consolidate support.
Currently, Congressman Eric Swalwell, former Congresswoman Katie Porter, and climate activist Tom Steyer lead the Democratic field. The Republican presence, however, remains split. Trump’s decision to back Hilton could marginalize Sheriff Bianco, potentially dividing the conservative vote and creating an opening for a Democratic victory.
Hilton, who previously hosted a show on Fox News, has built his platform around fiscal conservatism. He is campaigning on promises to slash the state budget and lower taxes, with a specific focus on reducing housing costs for families. Having moved to the U.S. more than a decade ago, Hilton confirmed in 2019 that he was in the process of applying for American citizenship.
Whether the endorsement provides a net gain or a liability for Hilton remains the central question for political analysts. While the backing secures his base, it provides Democrats with a clear target to mobilize their voters in the general election.
