Steve Hilton Advances in California Governor’s Race With Trump’s Backing

The California governor’s race has narrowed to two contenders, and one of them is a familiar face from British politics. Steve Hilton, who once served as a senior adviser to former UK Prime Minister David Cameron and later hosted a program on Fox News, has secured a spot in the November general election, according to projections from US media outlets.

His path forward wasn’t immediately clear. It took roughly a week of counting ballots from the June 2 primary before Hilton locked in his place, narrowly pushing past billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer, a Democrat who had poured significant resources into his campaign.

In the general election, Hilton will go head-to-head with Xavier Becerra, the former health secretary under President Joe Biden.

A Race With National Implications

President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Hilton, raising the stakes considerably. If Hilton manages to win in November, he would become the first Republican to lead California in 15 years, a striking outcome in a state that leans heavily Democratic.

The contest to succeed term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom drew an enormous field, with more than 60 candidates appearing on the ballot, the vast majority of them Democrats. Newsom, who is widely seen as a potential future presidential candidate, has spent much of his tenure clashing with the Trump administration on issues ranging from immigration to climate policy.

Now, with two finalists set, Hilton and Becerra will spend the coming months competing for one of the most powerful state offices in the country. Whoever wins will oversee a multibillion-dollar budget, thousands of state employees, and hundreds of government agencies.

Who Is Xavier Becerra?

A California native, Xavier Becerra brings a long résumé in public service to the race. He previously served as the state’s attorney general before joining the Biden administration as the nation’s top health official.

Should he prevail in November, Becerra would make history as California’s first Latino governor since 1875, a milestone in a state where Latinos account for roughly 41 percent of the population.

Becerra has built his campaign around his decades of experience, emphasizing his ability to navigate both the federal arena in Washington and state government back home. His key promises include:

• Pushing back firmly against Trump’s policies
• Freezing insurance rates for California residents
• Holding utility rates steady to ease cost-of-living pressures

His position in the race strengthened earlier this year after Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell exited in April amid allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, which Swalwell has repeatedly denied.

The Most Expensive Race in State History

This gubernatorial contest has shattered spending records, becoming the costliest in California’s history. Tom Steyer fueled much of that with heavy advertising, while Silicon Valley money flowed toward another Democratic hopeful, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. The result was a crowded, cash-soaked primary unlike anything the state had seen before.

Who Is Steve Hilton?

Steve Hilton has never held elected office, but he insists that wouldn’t make him a typical California politician. Challenging the conventional wisdom that a Republican can’t win in the state, he has argued that the real question is how any Democrat could win given their track record governing California.

Hilton first gained prominence as a close aide to David Cameron between 2010 and 2012. Over time, though, the two diverged sharply, particularly on immigration and on how Britain should approach Brexit.

During his years inside Downing Street, Hilton developed a reputation for unconventional behavior. Among the moments that drew attention:

• Greeting former US President Barack Obama while in his socks
• Walking the halls of Downing Street wearing shorts
• Casually referring to the prime minister as “Dave”

He also became known for provocative policy proposals, including a suggestion to abolish maternity leave.

In 2012, Hilton relocated from the UK to the United States. Five years later, he launched a six-year run hosting a show on the conservative network Fox News, which raised his profile among American audiences. He became a US citizen in 2021.

The Trump Endorsement

Much of Hilton’s recent momentum can be traced to President Trump’s backing. Trump has described Hilton as someone who would make an excellent governor and has been sharply critical of how Democrats have managed California, claiming that residents are leaving the state in large numbers.

In a social media post, Trump praised Hilton as a determined winner and pledged that the federal government would work alongside him to turn the state around quickly.

The Road to November

With the field now set, California is bracing for a high-profile and deeply contrasting matchup. On one side stands Becerra, a seasoned Democrat with deep roots in both state and national politics. On the other is Hilton, a political outsider with an unusual background and a powerful endorsement from the president.

The next several months will test whether Trump’s support can help flip one of the nation’s most reliably Democratic states, or whether Becerra’s experience and history-making candidacy will keep California in Democratic hands. Either way, the outcome is likely to send ripples well beyond the state’s borders.