Steve Hilton, the former UK political operative turned Fox News personality, has secured a spot in the November general election for California governor, facing off against Democrat Xavier Becerra. Hilton, who became a US citizen in 2021 after moving from Britain in 2012, was endorsed by Donald Trump and finished second in the nonpartisan primary held on 2 June.
The Associated Press projected Hilton would take one of the top two positions, behind Becerra, a former congressman, state attorney general and US health secretary. Hilton initially led the count, prompting Trump to prematurely declare victory, but as more mail-in ballots were counted, Becerra overtook him on 5 June. Hilton finished ahead of billionaire Tom Steyer, who conceded on Tuesday evening. Hilton himself acted as if he had won, declaring: 'Change is coming, and the campaign for change starts today.'
Hilton, known as the 'pint-sized Rasputin' of British Conservative politics, was a prominent adviser to Prime Minister David Cameron. He coined the 'hug a hoodie' slogan and now promises to make California 'Califordable'. His unorthodox style, including walking around Downing Street in socks, was satirised in the TV series The Thick of It. Hilton calls himself a 'pragmatist' and points to his experience in a coalition government as evidence he can work across party lines.
Despite his primary success, Hilton faces an uphill struggle in a heavily Democratic state where the last three Republican candidates won only about 40% of the vote. His association with Trump, deeply unpopular in California, adds to the challenge. Hilton portrays himself as an immigrant living the 'California dream', but was mocked for referring to a hard-shell tortilla as a 'street taco'. He vows to 'save California' as an outsider, and argues that his good relations with Trump can attract federal cooperation and lower tensions with the current governor, Gavin Newsom.
