California Republican Hilton Pitches himself to Anti-Trump Voters in Governor’s Race

Republican Steve Hilton opened his general election campaign for California governor on Wednesday by making an unusual pitch to the state’s liberal voters: dislike of President Donald Trump should not prevent them from voting for him. Hilton, who has Trump’s endorsement, sought to carve out independence from the president while maintaining his backing as he attempts to win a heavily Democratic state.

At a Los Angeles rally near a fire-damaged food warehouse symbolizing state dysfunction, Hilton promised to slash gasoline prices to $3 per gallon from current levels, cut utility bills in half, and eliminate state income taxes on earnings up to $150,000. He attributed California’s troubles, including homelessness and poor academic performance, to Democratic dominance of all statewide offices and legislative supermajorities, calling the party a “rotten regime that has abandoned the working class.”

Hilton framed his campaign around California’s future rather than partisan attachments. “This is not about who you hate in Washington. It’s about what we love about California and what we can do to make California once again the best place anywhere in the country to start and raise a family, to start and run a business,” he told supporters. The strategy acknowledges California’s electoral reality: registered Republicans trail Democrats nearly 2-to-1, and no Republican has won statewide office since 2006.

Trump remains deeply unpopular across California outside his core conservative base. In three consecutive presidential elections, Trump lost California by wide margins: 30 points to Hillary Clinton in 2016, 29 points to Joe Biden in 2020, and 20 points to Kamala Harris in 2024. Democrats have weaponized Trump opposition to drive voter turnout across the state effectively.

Xavier Becerra, Hilton’s Democratic opponent and former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, rejected Hilton’s attempts to distance himself from Trump. Campaign spokesman Jonathan Underland called Hilton “Trump’s puppet in California” and accused him of supporting policies that worsened affordability, including what he characterized as Trump’s illegal tariffs that cost California families $2,500 annually.

Hilton, who previously advised former United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron and has never held elective office, faces steep obstacles in delivering on his promises. The governor lacks direct control over oil and utility markets, and would need Democratic legislative cooperation to restructure state income taxes. Becerra is heavily favored to win the seat vacated by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is prohibited by law from seeking a third term.

California confronts multiple simultaneous crises that will test the next governor’s priorities. Widespread homelessness persists despite billions in spending, budget shortfalls loom for years ahead, housing costs remain prohibitive for most residents, the home insurance market faces collapse, and residents endure some of the nation’s highest gas prices, taxes, and utility bills. Hilton closed his kickoff with a 30-second television advertisement addressing financial hardship. “Life here has become impossible for anyone who isn’t already rich,” he said. “Let’s fix California.”