Steve Hilton, the British political strategist known for his barefoot strolls in Downing Street, is on the verge of becoming California's next governor. The former Tory adviser turned Republican has secured a place in the final run-off against Xavier Becerra, Joe Biden's former health secretary, to replace Gavin Newsom in November.
Hilton's journey from London to Sacramento is remarkable. Once a close friend and adviser to David Cameron, he helped craft the Tories' modern image, including the 'hug a husky' Arctic trip to embrace green politics. Now, he fluently preaches the MAGA gospel, attacking Democrat rule and defending Donald Trump in searing videos.
Despite the liberal 'deep blue' state's odds, Hilton has beaten expectations to reach this stage. His politics, rooted in a distrust of state bureaucracy, have evolved from community organising in London's Notting Hill to championing right-wing policies in California.
Born to a Hungarian immigrant family, Hilton grew up in a damp flat and won a scholarship to Christ's Hospital school before Oxford. He never saw himself as part of the 'posho' Tory elite. His hipster style—cycling, smoking, and shoeless meetings—was indulged in No 10, even as civil servants blanched at his unconventional ideas.
Hilton's bid for governor is the latest twist in a career marked by audacity and drama. Whether he can turn California red remains uncertain, but his path from British political maverick to American contender is nothing short of extraordinary.
