Republican Steve Hilton Secures Spot in California Governor's General Election

Steve Hilton, a former British political operative who became a U.S. citizen in 2021, finished second in California’s nonpartisan primary on June 2, securing a place on the November ballot for governor opposite Democrat Xavier Becerra. The Associated Press projected Hilton would be one of the top two vote-getters, and final counts confirmed his position behind Becerra, who consolidated support among Democratic voters.

Hilton’s campaign was boosted by an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who initially claimed Hilton had won the primary before later alleging, without evidence, that the state had engaged in election-rigging as additional mail ballots were counted. Hilton responded by stating, "Change is coming, and the campaign for change starts today."

Becerra, a former congressman, state attorney general and U.S. health secretary, led the field after late-counted votes shifted the balance on June 5. Billionaire investor Tom Steyer, who ran as a progressive, placed third and issued a concession statement thanking his supporters.

Hilton, who moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2012, has framed his candidacy as an outsider perspective, emphasizing his immigrant background and describing California as the "ultimate expression of America." He has pledged to "save California" and described himself as a pragmatist rather than an ideologue, noting his experience in coalition government under former UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

Political analysts note that Hilton faces a significant challenge in a state where Democrats hold a two-to-one voter registration advantage and have won the last three gubernatorial elections with roughly 60% of the vote. The campaign’s messaging, including slogans such as "Califordable," has drawn both attention and criticism, particularly after a social-media video in which Hilton misidentified a hard-shell tortilla dish as a "street taco."