Trump Endorses Steve Hilton for California Governor, Reshaping a Fragmented Primary
Trump gave his 'complete and total endorsement' to the former Fox News host and ex-Cameron advisor in a state where no candidate polls above 17%. California's top-two primary system makes the endorsement a double-edged sword.
Donald Trump endorsed Steve Hilton for governor of California in an overnight Truth Social post on April 6, calling him a "fine man" and pledging his "COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT."
"Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so!" Trump wrote. "With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before!"
The endorsement lands in the most fragmented gubernatorial race in the country. A UC Berkeley/IGS poll found no candidate above 17% support. Hilton, a Republican, led at 17%. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, the other prominent Republican, was at 16%. Eight major Democrats split the remaining vote, with most within the margin of error of each other.
The Primary Math
California uses a top-two "jungle primary" on June 2. Every candidate runs on one ballot; the top two advance to the general election regardless of party. This creates unusual dynamics.
Before the endorsement, Republican strategist Rob Stutzman estimated the total GOP vote at 38-40%, split roughly evenly between Hilton and Bianco. With both near 19-20%, and eight Democrats fragmenting the rest, two Republicans advancing to the general election was a real possibility -- a nightmare scenario for Democrats in the bluest major state.
Trump's endorsement changes that calculus. Stutzman projects it pushes Hilton into the mid-20s while dropping Bianco into the mid-teens. That consolidation likely guarantees a Democrat finishes second, securing a spot in November.
The paradox: the endorsement helps Hilton win the primary but may cost him the general. UC Berkeley professor Jim Newton calls it "long-term damaging" -- Trump is deeply unpopular in California, and the general election electorate is far larger and bluer than the primary one.
Who Is Steve Hilton?
Hilton is a British immigrant who served as chief strategist to Prime Minister David Cameron. In the UK, he championed "the Big Society" -- a communitarian conservative vision of decentralizing power from government to local communities. He also pushed environmental initiatives within the Conservative Party.
After moving to the United States, he hosted "The Next Revolution" on Fox News. His California campaign platform centers on tax reduction, expanding homeownership, and improving education standards in math and English.
Hilton pledged to "fight like you've never seen before to save our beautiful state." Trump's endorsement letter cited the exodus of residents, rising crime, and high taxes as problems a Hilton governorship could address.