{"id":260481,"date":"2026-04-10T03:21:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T03:21:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/260481\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T03:21:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T03:21:20","slug":"california-gop-convention-to-weigh-endorsements-in-governors-race-as-president-trump-elevates-steve-hilton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/260481\/","title":{"rendered":"California GOP convention to weigh endorsements in governor\u2019s race, as President Trump elevates Steve Hilton"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

SACRAMENTO, Calif. \u2014 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\u2019s race taking center stage.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Both are leading Republicans in the crowded race to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, as he is set to be termed out.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s endorsement could shift the dynamics of the race.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes the Trump endorsement make the likelihood of two Republicans making it to November less likely?\u201d ABC10 asked political strategists on both sides of the aisle.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I didn\u2019t think it was very likely to begin with. I think it\u2019s even less likely now,\u201d Republican strategist Tim Rosales said.<\/p>\n

Democratic strategist Roger Salazar said, \u201cI\u2019m not sure if it\u2019s helpful to Republicans. It was a very small chance, but it was a chance nonetheless [for two Republicans to advance to November].\u201d<\/p>\n

Hilton called the endorsement \u201ca great honor,\u201d saying it could help consolidate Republican support in the primary. Bianco said he was disappointed but added he would have welcomed the backing. \u201cOf course I would want the endorsement of the President of the United States,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Salazar said consolidating Republican support behind Hilton could ultimately hurt the party in a general election.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt ends up hurting them because he\u2019s not going to win statewide [against a Democrat],\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBasically [the endorsement] does Democrats one of the biggest favors,” Salazar added, noting Democrats are having trouble consolidating their own pool.<\/p>\n

Some of the Democratic candidates also weighed in following a Wednesday forum in Sacramento.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo 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,\u201d said Democratic candidate Betty Yee.<\/p>\n

\u201cI imagine that in some ways this may consolidate the Republican side of this campaign,\u201d said Democratic candidate and California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere will be one [Republican advancing to November], and that one will probably lead in the race,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

As Republicans head into the convention, the question remains whether the party will unite behind a single candidate.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Steve Hilton does get, is able to patch together enough support from the California Republican Party, I think it speaks to the president\u2019s power in terms of what that endorsement means,\u201d Rosales said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He added, however, that it is a defining moment for the party, with only two years left under a President Trump.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“They have to begin thinking about what happens beyond the Trump presidency,\u201d Rosales said.<\/p>\n

Salazar too said the moment reflects a broader challenge for the party.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cRepublicans have to do some soul searching,\u201d he said. \u201cThey 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

The convention, themed \u201cTurning the Tide\u2026 Together,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But also keep in mind the nature of a political convention, experts warn.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re the most Republican of the Republicans you can find, the most politically engaged. So, it\u2019s not really representative of even the average Republican out in the street in California,” Rosales said of attendees.<\/p>\n

Watch more:\u00a0Modesto ICE shooting leaves man hospitalized as investigation continues<\/a><\/p>\n

ABC10: Watch, Download, Read<\/p>\n


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