Steve Hilton, the British-born former Conservative Party strategist, has secured a spot in the November runoff for California governor, defying long odds in a deeply Democratic state. Hilton finished second in the state’s open primary, trailing former California attorney general and US health secretary Xavier Becerra by less than three percentage points.
Hilton’s Unlikely Rise in California Politics
Since arriving in the United States 14 years ago, Hilton has worn many hats: entrepreneur, policy analyst, and Fox News host. Now, he aims to revitalize the California Republican Party, which has not won a statewide office in two decades. His campaign focused on addressing the state’s cost-of-living crisis, housing shortage, and bureaucratic inefficiencies, which he blames on years of one-party Democratic rule.
Primary Victory and Coalition Building
Hilton secured 25% of the primary vote, edging out progressive billionaire Tom Steyer. His coalition includes working-class voters, Latino small business owners, religious conservatives, and Silicon Valley tech tycoons. Many Californians, according to recent polls, believe the state is on the wrong track, a sentiment Hilton has leveraged.
With his trademark bright yellow T-shirts and approachable style, Hilton has presented himself as a pragmatic Republican, reminiscent of how he helped position David Cameron as UK prime minister in 2010. His British accent has become an asset, as he emphasizes his status as a legal immigrant.
Challenges Ahead: Trump and Party Affiliation
Despite his primary success, Hilton faces steep odds. Donald Trump’s low approval ratings in California and the state’s Democratic lean make a general election win difficult. Hilton was endorsed by Trump and claims personal friendships with Trump’s cabinet members, but he has begun distancing himself from the former president. He now acknowledges that Joe Biden won the 2020 election and has dismissed claims of election fraud in California, calling the state’s slow vote count a symptom of bureaucratic failure.
Attacking Becerra’s Record
Hilton has criticized Becerra as an “amiable but unaccomplished establishment nonentity,” pointing to a scandal involving Becerra’s former chief of staff and a political consultant who allegedly stole $225,000 from a dormant campaign account. Becerra denies any knowledge of the scheme and says the FBI cleared him. Hilton may also face scrutiny over his friendships with polarizing figures like Charlie Kirk and his skepticism of vaccine mandates.
Historical Context and Outlook
Hilton’s 25% primary share mirrors that of Republican John Cox in 2018, who lost to Gavin Newsom in a landslide. To win, Hilton would need a major scandal or misfortune to beset Becerra. As Democratic strategist Garry South put it, “Steve Hilton has as much chance of becoming governor as I do.” Nevertheless, Hilton remains optimistic, offering change to a state that many voters feel is moving in the wrong direction.
