{"id":2588199,"date":"2026-04-07T17:54:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T21:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trumps-smart-california-gubernatorial-race-endorsement-steve-hilton\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T17:55:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T21:55:44","slug":"trumps-smart-california-gubernatorial-race-endorsement-steve-hilton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trumps-smart-california-gubernatorial-race-endorsement-steve-hilton\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump&#8217;s &#8216;smart&#8217; California gubernatorial race endorsement: Steve Hilton"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrumps-smart-california-gubernatorial-race-endorsement-steve-hilton%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2588199&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>the Washington Examiner reports that Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for California governor, welcomed Donald Trump\u2019s endorsement and framed it as a smart strategy to unite Republicans in the state\u2019s jungle-primary system. Hilton said he spoke with Trump after the endorsement and called it a \u201cgreat honor,\u201d arguing it helps consolidate Republican support and ensures Californians have a choice in November, rather than risking two Democrats advancing to the runoff.<\/p>\n<p>Hilton asserted that the endorsement should strengthen his lead and attract support from within the party and beyond, while stressing the importance of consolidating behind a single Republican to avoid a disaster under the top-two system. Trump\u2019s backing of Hilton over rival Chad Bianco is analyzed as likely to shift Republican voters in Hilton\u2019s direction, though some experts question how polls will respond.<\/p>\n<p>Democratic strategists suggested that the endorsement complicates a scenario in which two Republicans reach the runoff, perhaps increasing the chances that a Democrat makes the general election. The report notes that Hilton and Bianco had been leading in polls, with a crowded Democratic field including Eric Swalwell, Katie Porter, Antonio Villaraigosa, Xavier Becerra, and Tom Steyer.<\/p>\n<p>Hilton\u2019s platform, dubbed \u201cCalifordable,\u201d proposes a $3 per-gallon gas price and about a 50% reduction in electricity and other energy costs through regulatory and environmental-rule changes, along with no <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >state income tax<\/a> for residents earning $100,000 or less.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Steve Hilton says Trump endorsement was smart strategy in California governor&rsquo;s race<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2553894\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"60\">California<\/a> gubernatorial hopeful <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/stevehiltonforgovernor.com\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/stevehiltonforgovernor.com\/\">Steve Hilton<\/a> brushed aside concerns Tuesday that an endorsement from President<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\"> Donald Trump<\/a> could be a liability in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11675\">November elections<\/a>, arguing instead that Republicans should unite behind the most viable candidate.<\/p>\n<p>Hilton said he briefly spoke with Trump after the Sunday night endorsement to express his gratitude, describing it as a &ldquo;great honor.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s a moment that we can actually step up what&rsquo;s already been happening in the governor&rsquo;s race, which is a consolidation on the Republican side,&rdquo; Hilton said during a press conference in Sacramento. &ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s incredibly important that Californians have a choice at the general election in November because if you end up with two Democrats in this ridiculous top two system, which is a very real possibility, if we don&rsquo;t consolidate on the Republican side, that is a disaster for our state. That means there is no chance for change.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FILE &ndash; Steve Hilton speaks during the California gubernatorial candidate debate, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo\/Laure Andrillon, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Hilton said he expects his lead in the race to grow.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I was leading before the endorsement, I expect to be leading after the endorsement, with a growing level of support from within the Republican Party and way beyond,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;[This is] about taking on a system that is obviously broken. Sixteen years of one-party rule and nothing&rsquo;s changing.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Trump opted to back the former Fox News host over Hilton&rsquo;s chief GOP opponent, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Endorsing one of the Republicans in the race pretty much assures that that candidate goes up and the other starts to decline with Republican voters who follow Trump&rsquo;s lead,&rdquo; Garry South, a veteran California-based political expert, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll see what the polls say, but Trump likely just ended Democratic angst about two Republicans ending up in the runoff.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Democratic strategist Dave McLaughlin told the&nbsp;<em>Washington Examiner<\/em>&nbsp;that Hilton&rsquo;s endorsement &ldquo;obliterates any fantasy of Republicans taking the top two spots in the California jungle primary.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Months of polling showed Hilton and Bianco locked in a tight contest, each hovering in the low double digits. As the only two serious GOP contenders, both had been benefiting from California&rsquo;s jungle primary system. Under that system, all candidates, regardless of party, appear on the same ballot, with the two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-trumps-steve-hilton-endorsement-could-backfire-in-california\/\" title=\"Why ...&#039;s ... could backfire in ...\">highest vote-getters advancing<\/a> to the general election. <\/p>\n<p>With&nbsp;Gov.&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\">Gavin Newsom<\/a>&nbsp;(D-CA) not seeking another term, a crowded field of Democrats quickly formed, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-delays-introduction-of-1-9t-covid-relief-bill\/\" title=\"Senate delays introduction of .9T COVID relief bill\">including&#038;nbsp<\/a>;Rep.&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/eric-swalwell\/\">Eric Swalwell&nbsp;<\/a>(D-CA), former Rep.&nbsp;Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor&nbsp;Antonio Villaraigosa, former Health and Human Services Secretary&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.xavierbecerra2026.com\/\">Xavier Becerra,<\/a>&nbsp;and billionaire&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tomsteyer.com\/\">Tom Steyer<\/a>, among others.<\/p>\n<p>Support had been fragmented across multiple candidates with no clear Democratic front-runner emerging.&nbsp;That split, combined with Republicans consolidating behind two names, had opened the door to the possibility that both Hilton and Bianco would advance to the general election, effectively shutting Democrats out.<\/p>\n<p>But by backing Hilton, the president has likely steered Republican voters decisively in one direction, undercutting Bianco and easing the path for a Democrat to make the runoff. <\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4518040\/trump-endorsement-steve-hilton-california-gubernatorial-race\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4518040\/trump-endorsement-steve-hilton-california-gubernatorial-race\/\">TRUMP&rsquo;S STEVE HILTON ENDORSEMENT COULD BACKFIRE IN CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL RACE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A Democratic candidate in California has a much higher chance of winning the general election than a Republican.<\/p>\n<p>Hilton&rsquo;s campaign has centered on affordability. He has pushed his multipoint &ldquo;Califordable&rdquo; plan, which includes $3-a-gallon gas, plus a 50% cut in electricity and other energy costs, by changing state regulations and environmental rules. He is also proposing no state income taxes on Californians making $100,000 or less a year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hilton: Trump endorsement is smart; GOP should unite<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2588200,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26077825012748.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4045,13348,73507,3634],"class_list":["post-2588199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-california","tag-endorsement","tag-gubernatorial-race-2","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26077825012748.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2588199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2588199"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2588199\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2588203,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2588199\/revisions\/2588203"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2588200"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2588199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2588199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2588199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}