The state party is meeting this weekend in San Diego to decide which federal, state and local candidates to endorse ahead of the June Primary.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Republicans are set to gather this weekend in San Diego, bringing together federal, state and local leaders to decide which candidates to endorse ahead of the June primary, with the governor’s race taking center stage.

The convention comes as the party weighs the impact of a recent endorsement from President Donald Trump, who backed former Fox News host Steve Hilton over Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. 

Both are leading Republicans in the crowded race to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, as he is set to be termed out.

Earlier this year, California Democrats held their own endorsement convention, but no candidate secured enough support for an official party backing. Now, Republicans face a similar moment, with questions about whether Trump’s endorsement could shift the dynamics of the race.

“Does the Trump endorsement make the likelihood of two Republicans making it to November less likely?” ABC10 asked political strategists on both sides of the aisle.

“Well, I didn’t think it was very likely to begin with. I think it’s even less likely now,” Republican strategist Tim Rosales said.

Democratic strategist Roger Salazar said, “I’m not sure if it’s helpful to Republicans. It was a very small chance, but it was a chance nonetheless [for two Republicans to advance to November].”

Hilton called the endorsement “a great honor,” saying it could help consolidate Republican support in the primary. Bianco said he was disappointed but added he would have welcomed the backing. “Of course I would want the endorsement of the President of the United States,” he said.

One lingering question has been whether a split Democratic vote could allow both Hilton and Bianco to advance to November, shutting Democrats out of the race entirely. Experts now say that outcome appears less likely.

Salazar said consolidating Republican support behind Hilton could ultimately hurt the party in a general election. 

“It ends up hurting them because he’s not going to win statewide [against a Democrat],” he said.

“Basically [the endorsement] does Democrats one of the biggest favors,” Salazar added, noting Democrats are having trouble consolidating their own pool.

Some of the Democratic candidates also weighed in following a Wednesday forum in Sacramento.

“To me, having the president endorse Steve Hilton at this juncture really puts a marker down in terms of where the Hilton support is going to come from,” said Democratic candidate Betty Yee.

“I imagine that in some ways this may consolidate the Republican side of this campaign,” said Democratic candidate and California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

“There will be one [Republican advancing to November], and that one will probably lead in the race,” said Democratic candidate Antonio Villaraigosa, noting that winning Democrat in the primary may see a lower percentage than the winning Republican, as the blue vote is so diluted.

As Republicans head into the convention, the question remains whether the party will unite behind a single candidate.

“If Steve Hilton does get, is able to patch together enough support from the California Republican Party, I think it speaks to the president’s power in terms of what that endorsement means,” Rosales said. 

He added, however, that it is a defining moment for the party, with only two years left under a President Trump. 

“They have to begin thinking about what happens beyond the Trump presidency,” Rosales said.

Salazar too said the moment reflects a broader challenge for the party. 

“Republicans have to do some soul searching,” he said. “They have to figure out sort of what they want to be. Do they want to be the party of Trump? Does that hurt them in California? I think it does.”

The convention, themed “Turning the Tide… Together,” will also feature speakers including U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, California legislators, as well as Congressman Darrell Issa, who is retiring after his district was redrawn following Proposition 50.

Party leaders are also expected to focus on such down-ballot races, where Republicans are looking to improve their chances statewide, despite a tough loss in the special election.

But also keep in mind the nature of a political convention, experts warn.

“They’re the most Republican of the Republicans you can find, the most politically engaged. So, it’s not really representative of even the average Republican out in the street in California,” Rosales said of attendees.

Watch more: Modesto ICE shooting leaves man hospitalized as investigation continues

ABC10: Watch, Download, Read






































1
/
12