The California Republican Party will make endorsements of the candidates running for office — including for the state’s next governor — on Sunday during the final day of the California Republican Convention in San Diego.
Candidates made their plea for endorsement to the party’s delegates at the convention, held at the Sheraton San Diego Resort on Harbor Island, on Saturday — with promises to root out alleged misuse of spending, push forward voter identification initiatives and boost affordability in the state.
The party faces what could be an uphill battle to win in the majority Democratic state, and is also coming off the loss of Proposition 50 last year, in which voters overwhelmingly voted to redistrict the state to benefit Democrats.
Despite the challenges, Republican candidates and convention attendees showed up hopeful for their odds — with especially strong enthusiasm behind the two candidates for governor, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News commentator Steven Hilton.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a candidate for governor, speaks at a candidate forum during the 2026 California Republican Party Spring Convention. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
“This election has always been ours for the taking,” said Bianco. “It is up to us — conservative, common-sense Republicans — to show proven leadership, compassion and integrity matters.”
Hilton has been endorsed by President Donald Trump — a development some expect could hurt his chances of winning in the largely blue state.
But many of the candidates expressed support and alignment with the Trump administration and its policies, including efforts to ban transgender athletes in women’s and girls’ sports and abolish sanctuary cities, which limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton speaks during a candidate forum at the 2026 California Republican Party Spring Convention. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
“It’s going to be a whole new story in California,” Hilton said. “We are going to play our part in (Trump’s) golden age for America.”
That support for Trump was on full display at the convention, with loud cheers from the audience when the candidates mentioned the president’s policies and signs saying “Make California Golden Again,” co-opting his signature slogan.
Associate delegate from Ventura County Jennifer McCarthy says she wants a candidate with Trump’s ideals, which is why she’s supporting Hilton.
“I think he has the political and the business experience, plus the media experience, that he will be able to make the difference in California,” she added.
The party’s delegates will announce its endorsements during the final day of the convention on Sunday.
Candidates for multiple California government positions stand before speaking at a forum during the 2026 California Republican Party Spring Convention at the Sheraton San Diego Resort on Saturday. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Along with the candidate forum, the convention on Saturday offered a series of events, including a book signing with former Trump administration press secretary Sean Spicer and a panel on voter identification and the future of elections.
Booths with volunteers promoting candidates and vendors selling merchandise lined the main hall of the convention, and bedazzled clothing for sale — along with rows of “Make America Great Again” hats and other Trump-related merchandise — further decorated the space.
Ronald Solomon sits at his booth selling President Donald Trump gear during the 2026 California Republican Party Spring Convention at the Sheraton San Diego Resort on Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
San Diego resident Blake Marnell says he’s been often seen at Trump rallies wearing a signature suit with a brick pattern on it — to symbolize his support for the Trump administration’s border fence — but he left the outfit at home on Saturday, since the convention was more focused on California issues.
Marnell is supportive of Hilton for governor and says he thinks he will be able to reach independent voters as well as Republicans.
“I don’t see Steve Hilton as being a party politician,” he said. “He’s got a lot of crossover.”
But Louisa Millington, from Riverside, says Trump’s endorsement of Hilton is detrimental in a state like California.
“I would vote for (Trump) again today, but in California, we need a governor for California, not for Washington, D.C.,” she said. “We can’t have our president picking and crowning who’s going to be our governor in California.”