California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra (left) and California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton (right).
Getty Images
Republican Steve Hilton entered the general election for California governor, arguing that the state was in dire need of new leadership after more than 15 years of Democratic dominance.
He will face Democrat Xavier Becerra, a former state attorney general and Biden administration health secretary who the Associated Press previously determined had enough votes.
With nearly twice as many Democrats as registered Republicans in California, Hilton faces a tough electoral field in November’s election. If elected, he would be the first Republican candidate to win a statewide office since 2006.
He believes he can overcome adversity.
“Change is coming to California,” Hilton said the day after the election. “That’s good news for everyone.”
The result means Democratic candidate Tom Steyer is ineligible for the November election.
During the campaign, Hilton attacked Democrats over issues such as the state’s high cost of living and homelessness crisis. He has promised to lower the prices of everything from gasoline to housing. Exempts Californians’ first $100,000 from income tax. Create a loan program for first-time homebuyers. and freeze tuition at public universities in the state.
Hilton was endorsed by President Donald Trump in April and helped solidify support among Republican voters in the primary, but could be at a disadvantage in the general election.
Hilton, who has never held public office, came to the United States from Britain in 2012 and served as an adviser to Conservative Party figures, including former Prime Minister David Cameron. He hosted a show on FOX News from 2017 to 2023 and became a U.S. citizen in 2021.
Hilton often mentions his parents’ experiences fleeing communism in Hungary before immigrating to the UK as a formative part of his family’s history that helped shape his conservative worldview.
