Trump endorsement jolts california governor race
California's already unpredictable gubernatorial election just took a sharp turn. Former President Donald Trump threw his weight behind Republican Steve Hilton late Sunday, a move that could reshape the dynamics of the primary race less than two months before voters head to the polls.
Hilton's momentum meets presidential backing
Trump’s endorsement, delivered via Truth Social, lauded Hilton as a “truly fine man” witnessing California's decline. The former president declared his “COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT,” a statement that immediately reverberated through the state's political landscape. Hilton’s campaign swiftly responded, thanking Trump for his “full backing and federal support,” promising to “take California back and make it better than ever before.” The timing is particularly noteworthy, as recent polling has placed Hilton surprisingly at the head of the Republican field, setting up a potentially fascinating contest.
But the endorsement isn't a guaranteed path to victory. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, another prominent Republican contender, currently trails Hilton and faces a crowded Democratic field including Congressman Eric Swalwell and billionaire Tom Steyer. California’s unique primary system, where the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party affiliation, raises the possibility – and now, with Trump’s involvement, the likelihood – of two Republicans competing in November.
Bianco, a vocal Trump supporter who routinely praises the former president on social media, is now playing catch-up. His office recently launched an investigation into alleged election fraud in the 2025 Proposition 50 Special Election, citing a 45,000-ballot discrepancy. The investigation, however, is currently stalled due to legal challenges from the state's attorney general, which Bianco dismisses as “politically motivated.” This ongoing controversy, coupled with the Trump endorsement, puts Bianco in a precarious position, needing to energize his base without alienating moderate voters.
Hilton's background, as a former director of strategy for then-Prime Minister David Cameron in the U.K. and a former Fox News contributor, lends him a certain media savvy. Becoming a U.S. citizen in 2021, he’s now leveraging Trump's popularity to amplify his message, a strategy that could prove decisive in a state increasingly fractured along ideological lines. CBS California and the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs Association will host a gubernatorial debate at Pomona College on April 28th, offering candidates a crucial platform to address voters directly.
The real question is whether Trump's endorsement will be enough to overcome the deep-seated Democratic advantage in California. The race is undeniably heating up, and the state’s primary election on June 2nd promises to be one of the most closely watched contests in the nation.