Steve Hilton, the British-born former Conservative Party strategist, has advanced to the November run-off for California governor, finishing second in the state's open primary. Hilton, who has lived in the United States for 14 years, will face Democrat Xavier Becerra, the former California attorney general and US health secretary.
Campaign and Coalition
Hilton ran a spirited campaign, promising to revitalize the California Republican Party, which has not won statewide office in two decades. He focused on addressing the state's cost-of-living crisis, housing shortage, and other challenges he attributes to years of Democratic control. His coalition includes working-class voters, Latino small business owners, religious conservatives, and Silicon Valley tech executives, all seeking change in a state where many feel is heading in the wrong direction.
Primary Results
With 25% of the vote, Hilton finished 2.9 points behind Becerra and 2.4 points ahead of progressive billionaire Tom Steyer. Despite the odds, Hilton has positioned himself as a pragmatic Republican, distancing himself from Donald Trump while acknowledging Joe Biden's 2020 victory. He has also criticized California's slow vote count as a symptom of bureaucratic inefficiency.
Challenges Ahead
Hilton faces steep odds in November, as California remains a strongly Democratic state. He must navigate his association with Trump, who endorsed him, and his past ties to controversial figures like Charlie Kirk. Meanwhile, Becerra contends with a scandal involving his former chief of staff. Hilton's primary vote share mirrors that of the 2018 Republican candidate, who lost decisively to Gavin Newsom.
