Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton is brushing aside concerns about President Donald Trump’s low approval ratings in California, arguing that the outcome of the state’s high-stakes race will hinge on local frustrations rather than national politics.
Speaking Sunday on The Hill Sunday with host Chris Stirewalt, Hilton insisted the election is ultimately about the direction of the Golden State, not the popularity of any one figure in Washington.
“This election is going to be about the future of California,” Hilton said, pointing to what he described as widespread dissatisfaction with current conditions. He emphasized issues such as poverty, unemployment, and the high cost of living, arguing that these challenges stem from years of one-party control in Sacramento.
Hilton, a former adviser to ex-British Prime Minister David Cameron and a conservative commentator, framed his campaign as a break from what he called 16 years of Democratic leadership. According to Hilton, the state’s struggles are “entirely due to Democrat policies,” and he plans to make that case forcefully in the upcoming debate and throughout the general election campaign.
His message is straightforward: voters should not expect different results if they continue backing the same political approach. “The answer for California is not another Democrat,” Hilton said. “It’s a completely new direction.”
Still, the political landscape remains challenging for Republicans in California. A May poll from the Public Policy Institute of California found that just 29 percent of adults in the state approve of Trump, including strong support among Republicans but far weaker backing from independents and Democrats. Those numbers underscore the uphill battle any GOP candidate faces in a state that has not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in 2011.
The race itself remains fluid as candidates jockey for position ahead of the June 2 primary. Following the withdrawal of former Rep. Eric Swalwell amid allegations of sexual misconduct, the field has tightened. A recent Emerson College poll shows Hilton with 17 percent support, narrowly ahead of Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 14 percent. Businessman Tom Steyer also stands at 14 percent, while former Rep. Katie Porter and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra each poll at 10 percent.
Under California’s primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party, raising the possibility that two Democrats could ultimately face off in November. Hilton acknowledged that scenario as a serious concern, warning of the financial and institutional advantages held by Democratic candidates, including support from government unions and well-funded campaigns.
“I’ve never thought that’s a realistic possibility,” Hilton said when asked about two Republicans advancing, citing what he described as entrenched political and financial forces aligned against GOP contenders.
Looking ahead, Hilton predicted that if he reaches the general election, he is most likely to face either Steyer or Porter. He stressed the importance of consolidating Republican support to prevent Democrats from locking out the opposition entirely.
As the campaign intensifies, Hilton’s strategy centers on local discontent and a call for change. But the broader backdrop—a deeply blue state, a competitive primary system, and the lingering influence of national politics—suggests the path forward will be anything but simple.
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