In a significant political development, Republican Steve Hilton has secured his place in the November general election for California governor. This sets the stage for a formidable contest against Democrat Xavier Becerra, who emerged from a crowded field of Democratic candidates. Hilton, a British-American former Fox News host, has promised to slash spending and regulations if elected, positioning himself as a champion of change in the Golden State.
The June 2 primary saw Hilton garnering about 25% of the vote, with approximately 88% of votes counted as of Tuesday evening. His campaign has resonated with conservative voters, who are energized by his promises to cut income taxes, the gas tax, and boost oil drilling. Hilton’s platform also includes overturning environmental regulations such as the state’s greenhouse gas reduction mandates, which he argues are burdensome to businesses and residents alike.
Hilton’s Path to the General Election
Hilton’s victory in the primary marks a significant milestone in his political career. Born in London to Hungarian immigrants, Hilton began his political journey working for the British Conservative Party and played a key role in the rise of Prime Minister David Cameron in 2010. He later moved to Silicon Valley, where his wife was a Google executive, and launched a weekly Fox News show, The Next Revolutionwhich ran through 2026.
His campaign has been characterized by a strong anti-establishment message, appealing to voters frustrated with what he describes as 16 years of one-party rule by Democrats. Hilton has positioned himself as an outsider who can bring about much-needed change in California. My mission is clear: to go to Sacramento, clean up the corruption, cut your costs, help your business, and fix our schoolshe stated in a recent press conference.
The Democratic Response
Hilton’s advancement to the general election has drawn a strong response from Democratic circles. Billionaire Tom Steyer, who spent $215 million of his own money on his campaign, conceded defeat and endorsed Becerra. Steyer’s campaign, which focused on climate activism and populist policies, failed to gain enough traction to secure a spot in the general election. In his concession statement, Steyer emphasized the importance of uniting against Hilton, whom he referred to as President Donald Trump’s handpicked candidate.
Becerra, a former state attorney general and U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, has been a vocal critic of Trump’s policies. He has made pushing back against Trump’s incursions a central piece of his campaign, highlighting his role as a chief architect of the state’s resistance to Trump during the first years of his presidency. Becerra’s campaign has focused on cementing California’s status as a stronghold of liberal policies, contrasting sharply with Hilton’s vision for the state.
The Challenges Ahead
Despite his energetic campaign, Hilton faces an uphill battle in November. California Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two-to-one, and the last Republican to lead the state was Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who left office in 2011. Hilton’s endorsement by Trump, who is widely disapproved of by Californians, could further complicate his chances. However, Hilton has not downplayed the endorsement, stating that it would be very helpful to Californians to have a governor who has a good working relationship with the president and his team.
Hilton’s signature campaign promise is to eliminate the income tax for the first $100,000 in earnings and institute a flat tax rate above that. He has also proposed cutting a third of state spending to offset the revenue loss. However, he has not detailed how he would get such proposals through the Democratic supermajority in the state Legislature, raising questions about the feasibility of his plans.
As the campaign moves into the general election phase, all eyes will be on how Hilton and Becerra articulate their visions for California. The stakes are high, with the winner set to succeed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and lead a state that is home to roughly 39 million people, Hollywood, a booming tech industry, and a vast farming region that helps feed the nation.
