Trump endorses ex-UK political aide Steve Hilton for California governor
Donald Trump Endorses Steve Hilton, Former UK Adviser, for California Governorship
US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Steve Hilton, a former senior aide to the late British Prime Minister David Cameron, in the race for California’s governor. This endorsement adds an unexpected twist to a highly erratic contest in a state where Democratic dominance is nearly unshakable. In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Republican candidate Steve Hilton “would make an outstanding governor,” highlighting his belief that California’s current administration has “executed an exceptionally poor job” and that citizens are “abandoning” the state in droves.
Hilton, who now resides in California, is one of ten contenders vying for the governor’s seat in the 2 June primary. The top two vote-getters, irrespective of party affiliation, will advance to the November general election. Despite this, Republicans have not secured a statewide victory in California since 2002. Hilton expressed his gratitude on X, stating he was “deeply honored” to receive the backing of the Republican president. However, his candidacy could face challenges if he ultimately clashes with a Democrat in the November race, particularly given the state’s progressive leanings.
Hilton’s political journey includes a stint as a key advisor to David Cameron from 2010 to 2012. He later became critical of Cameron’s immigration policies, leading him to host a Fox News show and continue contributing to conservative media. His campaign focuses on reducing taxes, trimming state budgets, and lowering housing costs for families. He joined Stanford University as a visiting scholar in 2012 and announced his application for US citizenship in 2019.
A March survey conducted by the University of California, Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies stunned political insiders, as it revealed Hilton and another Republican, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, were outpacing Democratic hopefuls. This prompted Democratic leaders to urge some candidates to withdraw, fearing a split in their ranks. The poll showed that Congressman Eric Swalwell, former congresswoman Katie Porter, and billionaire environmental advocate Tom Steyer were leading among the eight Democrats in the race.
“Democrats have done an absolutely horrendous job” in California, Trump said, adding that “people are fleeing” the state. This sentiment, however, may not translate to a decisive advantage for Hilton, as his candidacy could inadvertently benefit the Democratic opponent in the final round.
