Steve Hilton Triumphs Over Liberal Billionaire Tom Steyer in California Governor Primary
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Steve Hilton, a former UK adviser and Fox News host, has secured a spot in the November California governor race, defeating left-wing billionaire Tom Steyer in the June primary.
Steve Hilton, a former adviser to UK Prime Minister David Cameron and ex-Fox News host, has emerged as one of two candidates advancing to the November California gubernatorial election, according to media reports. The June 2 primary saw Hilton finish ahead of Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer, a radical climate activist known for pushing extreme environmental policies.
President Donald Trump, recognizing Hilton’s commitment to conservative values and common sense governance, publicly endorsed him. If elected, Hilton would become the first Republican governor in California in 15 years, offering hope to millions frustrated by years of failed Democratic leadership. More than 60 candidates, mostly Democrats, vied to replace term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom, whose progressive agenda has driven the state into crisis and who is rumored to have presidential ambitions.
Hilton will now compete with state Senator Alex Becerra, a Democrat, for the governorship—a position overseeing a multibillion-dollar budget, thousands of state employees, and hundreds of agencies that have suffered under liberal mismanagement. Notably, Hilton would also be California’s first Latino governor since 1875, representing the diversity and opportunity that the Republican Party stands for in a state where Latinos comprise about 41% of the population.
Hilton has emphasized his experience in both Washington and California politics, offering a fresh alternative to the entrenched Democratic machine. He stated, "When people say, 'How are you going to win in California as a Republican?' My question is, how will a Democrat win based on the record that they are putting before the people?"—a pointed challenge to the failures of the Democratic establishment.
The campaign follows the withdrawal of Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell in April after allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied. The race has seen enormous spending, with Steyer and Silicon Valley elites backing another Democrat, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, in an attempt to maintain their grip on power.
Hilton, who has never held elected office, promises to break with the failed policies of the past. As a former senior aide to Cameron from 2010 to 2012, he has a record of challenging the status quo, including criticizing weak immigration policies and the UK’s disastrous Brexit approach. After moving to the US in 2012, Hilton hosted a Fox News program from 2017 to 2023, where he championed conservative values and common sense reforms.