{"id":254229,"date":"2026-04-06T16:04:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T16:04:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/254229\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T16:04:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T16:04:13","slug":"trump-endorses-former-british-government-aide-steve-hilton-in-california-governors-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/254229\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump endorses former British government aide Steve Hilton in California governor\u2019s race"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Trump\u00a0on<\/p>\n

Trump on Monday endorsed former British government aide and Fox News host Steve \u200bHilton in the upcoming California governor’s race.<\/p>\n

President Donald Trump weighed in on the California governor\u2019s race, endorsing former Fox News host Steve Hilton in the crowded attempt to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have known and respected Steve Hilton, who is running for Governor of California<\/a>, for many years. He is a truly fine man, one who has watched as this once-great state has gone to hell,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n

The president also took shots at \u201cNewscum\u201d and the \u201chorrendous\u201d job he has done leading the state.<\/p>\n

\"California<\/p>\n

California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton at a debate in San Francisco, Calif., Tuesday Feb. 3, 2026. Jason Henry for California Post<\/p>\n

He continued on Truth Social: \u201cPeople are fleeing, crime is increasing, and taxes are the highest of any state in the country, maybe the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cSteve can turn it around before it is too late and, as President, I will help him to do so! With federal help, and a great governor like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before!<\/p>\n

\u201cSteve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT. He will be a GREAT Governor and, importantly, WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP.\u201d<\/p>\n

California may have a Republican governor for the first time in nearly two decades after the blue state elected Arnold Schwarzenegger<\/a> in 2003, with the actor serving until 2011.<\/p>\n

\"President<\/p>\n

President Donald Trump on Monday endorsed former Fox News host Steve \u200bHilton in the California governor\u2019s race. via REUTERS<\/p>\n

Hilton has edged ahead in the polls and Democrats are panicking that their crowded field may cause an all Republican showdown in November.<\/p>\n

Under California law, the primary system is not based on party but rather a \u201ctop-two\u201d system, where the two candidates with the most votes in the primary in June will face off in November.<\/p>\n

As of now, Republican candidates Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco<\/a> top the long list of Democrats in the gubernatorial race.<\/p>\n

\"Republican<\/p>\n

Republican Chad Bianco, the sheriff of Riverside County, also tops the long list of candidates. REUTERS<\/p>\n

The California Post has reached out to Hilton\u2019s campaign for comment on the endorsement.<\/p>\n

The other eight candidates \u2014 all Democrats \u2014 include:\u00a0Xavier Becerra, former US Health and Human Services secretary and former California attorney general;\u00a0Matt Mahan, mayor of San Jose<\/a>;\u00a0Katie Porter, former US representative from Orange County<\/a>;\u00a0Tom Steyer, billionaire entrepreneur and former presidential candidate;\u00a0Eric Swalwell, a US representative from the Bay Area<\/a>;\u00a0Tony Thurmond, the state superintendent of public instruction;\u00a0Antonio Villaraigosa, former mayor of Los Angeles and Assembly speaker; and\u00a0Betty Yee, former state controller.<\/p>\n

\"Gubernatorial<\/p>\n

Gubernatorial candidate, US Representative Eric Swalwell, is polling at 14%. REUTERS<\/p>\n

\"Former<\/p>\n

Former US Representative Katie Porter is polling at 10%. AP<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has been polling in lower figures. AP<\/p>\n

\"Billionaire<\/p>\n

Billionaire entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Tom Steyer is polling at 9%. ZUMAPRESS.com<\/p>\n

At its February convention, the\u00a0California Democratic Party\u00a0failed to unite behind a single candidate. In an open letter, party chair\u00a0Rusty Hicks\u00a0urged contenders to take a hard look at their chances<\/a> and withdraw by the filing deadline if no viable path exists.<\/p>\n

He added that those who remain should reassess by April 15 and be prepared to back another candidate if necessary, noting that while success may be unlikely, \u201cit is not impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Democrats make up 45.3% of registered voters, Republicans account for 25.2%, and independent voters comprise 22.3%. Given the state\u2019s top-two primary system, if current dynamics hold, it may force a majority-Democratic electorate to choose between GOP candidates.<\/p>\n

Hilton, a staunch critic of Gov. Gavin Newsom, is leading the crowded field, with 17% support, according to the\u00a0Emerson College Polling\/Inside California Politics survey<\/a>. Swalwell\u00a0and Bianco\u00a0are tied for second at 14%, followed by Porter\u00a0at 10%. Steyer trails one point behind her. Mahan, the last candidate to join the race, only saw 3.4% support in the poll, putting him toward the bottom of the 12-candidate field.<\/p>\n

About 21% of voters remain undecided, a 10-point decrease from the last poll in December, with Hilton gaining 5 points since then.<\/p>\n

The poll comes as Trump\u00a0issued his endorsement of Hilton, even as more than 60% of Californians in the same survey say they disapprove of the president\u2019s job performance. In the 2024 election, Trump won roughly 40% of the vote in California, losing the state to\u00a0Kamala Harris, who carried her home state.<\/p>\n

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