Update: This story was updated to add new information and correct an inaccuracy.
President Donald Trump has endorsed conversative commentator Steve Hilton in the California governor’s race.
Trump, in a Truth Social post late Sunday, said he has respected and known Hilton “for many years.”
“He is a truly fine man, one who has watched as this once great State has gone to Hell,” Trump said, adding that the Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democrats “have done an absolutely horrendous job.”
“People are fleeing, crime is increasing, and Taxes are the highest of any State in the Country, maybe the World. Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so!” Trump said. “With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before!”
In a post on X, Hilton’s campaign said the endorsement from Trump was “powerful.”
“With President Trump’s full backing and federal support, we are going to take California back and make it better than ever before,” Hilton’s campaign team wrote.
Recent polling has found Republican candidates Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco leading among likely voters, with a cluster of Democratic candidates trailing.
Three Democratic candidates — Congressman Eric Swalwell, former Congresswoman Katie Porter, and climate advocate Tom Steyer — each have about the same number of likely voters. The other five Democratic candidates (Xavier Becerra, Antonio Villaraigosa, Matt Mahan, Betty Yee, and Tony Thurmond) each draw a smaller share of likely voters.
The large field of Democratic candidates left party leaders worried that Democrats may be “locked out” of California’s general election.
However, political data expert Rob Pyers in a post on X said that Trump’s endorsement of Hilton may eliminate the possibility of a Republican facing off another Republican in the November election.
“Trump’s endorsement of Steve Hilton likely frees up tens of millions of dollars for Democratic groups who would have otherwise had to spend heavily to elevate one of the two leading GOP gubernatorial candidates to avoid a Democratic lockout,” Pyers said.
Who is Steve Hilton?
Hilton is a regular contributor on Fox News and a former senior adviser to conservative British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Last April, Hilton officially launched his campaign for governor of California in Huntington Beach, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“Here’s why we’re here,” Hilton said, the newspaper reported. “The spirit of Huntington Beach is going to be the spirit that saves our beautiful state of California and makes this state truly golden again.”
On his campaign website, Hilton says reducing taxes for workers and ending “the bureaucratic war on business” are among his priorities. Hilton also mentions restoring the “California Dream of a single-family home for every family” and taking a “more sensible approach to (government) spending” as priorities.
Chad Bianco responds to Trump endorsement
In a video posted on social media Monday, Bianco responded to Trump’s endorsement of Hilton, saying the governor’s race “is about the future of California not any one endorsement.”“For too long, politicians and insiders from Sacramento to Washington have tried to pick our leaders for us,” Bianco said. “That’s not leadership; that’s a coronation, and it’s exactly how we ended up with the failed leadership Californians are living with today.”Bianco went on to say the election is about Californians and “not special interests and definitely not an endorsement.”“Quite frankly, I have repeatedly said that a Fox News host courting a president’s endorsement will never win in California,” Bianco said.
Who’s running for California governor?
The top gubernatorial candidates include two Republicans and three Democrats:
Other notable Democratic candidates include: Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Antonio Villaraigosa, Tony Thurmond, and Betty Yee.
An additional 51 candidates are also running for governor. A list of candidates and their titles can be found here.
In California, there is a top-two primary system in which all candidates are listed on the same ballot. The top-two vote-getters move on to the general election, regardless of their party affiliation, meaning there is the potential for two candidates from the same party to face off in the general election.
When is the governor’s race?
Voters will choose the Golden State’s next governor during California’s general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
When is the June primary — and how do Californians register to vote?
California’s primary election will be held on June 2. The last day to register to vote for the primary is May 18.
Californians can register online or by mail.
“You can also pick up an application at your county elections office, any Department of Motor Vehicles office, and many post offices, public libraries, and government offices,” according to the state’s website. “To have a paper application mailed to you, call your county elections office or the Secretary of State’s toll-free voter hotline at (800) 345-VOTE.”
Those who are registered to vote will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the June primary election, which can be returned via mail, drop box, or in person at a dedicated voting center.
County elections offices will begin mailing ballots on May 4, and ballot drop-off locations will open the following day.
You can track the status of your ballot using the state’s WheresMyBallot tracking tool.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Trump gives ‘powerful’ endorsement of Steve Hilton for Calif. governor
Reporting by Daniella Segura, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
