(SeaPRwire) – Ahead of California’s upcoming primary, President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Steve Hilton, one of two Republicans competing in the crowded field for the state’s governorship.
“I have known and respected Steve Hilton, who is running for Governor of California, for many years,” Trump shared in a Truth Social update on Monday. He described Hilton as an exceptional individual who has witnessed the state’s significant decline.
The President criticized current Governor Gavin Newsom and other California Democrats for their “horrendous” performance, asserting that Hilton is capable of reversing the situation “before it is too late,” and promising his own assistance in the effort.
“With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before!” Trump added. He offered his “COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT,” predicting Hilton would be a successful governor who would remain loyal to his constituents.
In a statement, Hilton expressed that he was “honored” to receive the President’s backing.
“I’m running to make our state Califordable: $3.00 gas, cut your electric bills in half, your first $100,000 tax free, a home you can afford to buy. We’ll do that by putting common sense ahead of ideology, stopping fraud, waste, and abuse in our government, and cleaning up the corruption in Sacramento,” Hilton remarked. He thanked the president for his support, stating that together they could restore the state’s “Golden” status.
Hilton is among 10 prominent candidates—comprising eight Democrats and two Republicans—vying for the position. Newsom, who has held the office since 2019, is ineligible for reelection due to term limits but is widely viewed as a potential contender for the 2028 presidential race.
The gubernatorial primary on June 2 utilizes a top-two format, meaning the two candidates with the highest vote totals, regardless of their political party, will move on to the general election in November.
While California is a reliably Democratic state that hasn’t elected a Republican to statewide office since 2006, some Democrats worry that their large number of candidates could split the vote, potentially allowing both Republican contenders to advance to the final ballot.
The influence of an endorsement from Trump, who faces low approval ratings in the state, remains uncertain. It is unclear if his support will impact the chances of Hilton or fellow Republican candidate, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. However, several polls conducted prior to Trump’s post indicated that Hilton was leading the race.
Here is a look at Hilton’s background.
He moved to the U.S. from the U.K.
Hilton was born in the United Kingdom to parents who had emigrated from Hungary. On his campaign website, he notes that he has always stayed connected to his heritage.
“My parents were immigrants—they fled communism in Hungary to start a new life in England. In a free country. I appreciate exactly what that means,” he stated.
According to his website, Hilton’s father, a former goalie for the Hungarian national ice hockey team, passed away when Hilton was a child. His mother was a retail worker and his stepfather worked in construction. Hilton later graduated from Oxford University.
He is a former political strategist in the U.K.
Hilton’s political career includes working for the British Conservative Party during Margaret Thatcher’s premiership, an experience he describes as a major honor. After a period in the business world, he returned to politics to work for former Prime Minister David Cameron.
In 2017, The New York Times noted that Hilton was credited with modernizing the Conservative Party’s image, which helped lead to their 2010 election victory. Following that win, Hilton served as Cameron’s senior adviser, focusing primarily on domestic policy.
He has experience in the business sector
Before joining Cameron’s team, Hilton worked at an advertising agency. He later founded a consulting firm called the Good Business and opened a restaurant in London named The Good Cook.
He was a host on Fox News
Hilton relocated to California in 2012 and began hosting The Next Revolution with Steve Hilton on Fox News five years later. The weekly program, which concluded in 2023, examined populist movements and their impact on American society and government.
He also created a podcast titled “The Steve Hilton Show,” which he intended as a non-partisan platform for those seeking an alternative to one-party rule in California.
He has launched several political initiatives in California
After moving to the state, Hilton co-founded Crowdpac, a political crowdfunding site designed to help independent candidates raise funds. He served as CEO until 2018.
In 2023, he launched Golden Together, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization. According to its website, the group advocates for practical policy solutions to California’s challenges, including crime and homelessness.
Hilton became a citizen of the United States in 2021.
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