Trump endorses ex-UK political aide Steve Hilton for California governor
Trump endorses ex-UK political aide Steve Hilton for California governor
Donald Trump, the US President, has thrown his support behind Steve Hilton, a former key advisor to the late British Prime Minister David Cameron, in the race for California’s governorship. This endorsement adds an unexpected twist to a fiercely competitive election in a state dominated by Democrats.
In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump praised Hilton, stating he would ‘be a great governor’ for the state. The president criticized Democratic governance, claiming that ‘Democrats have done an absolutely horrendous job’ and that ‘people are fleeing’ California due to its current administration.
Hilton is among ten candidates vying for the June 2 primary. The top two vote-getters, irrespective of political affiliation, will secure a spot in the November general election.
It has been over two decades since Republicans last claimed victory in a statewide California election. Hilton, currently based in California, was a prominent advisor to the former British Prime Minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2012. However, he later expressed concerns about Cameron’s immigration policies, leading to a shift in his political stance.
Following his tenure with Cameron, Hilton hosted a Fox News program for several years and remains active with the conservative media outlet. His campaign centers on reducing taxes, shrinking the state budget, and lowering housing and other living expenses for families.
Hilton joined Stanford University as a visiting scholar in 2012 and mentioned in 2019 that he was pursuing US citizenship. A March poll from UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies surprised political insiders, showing Hilton and Bianco leading Democratic candidates.
Democrats grew concerned, prompting state party leaders to encourage certain candidates to withdraw. The University of California, Berkeley poll suggested that congressman Eric Swalwell, former congresswoman Katie Porter, and billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer had the most support among the eight Democrats running.
Trump’s endorsement of Hilton, however, may pose challenges if he encounters a Democratic opponent in November, particularly given California’s liberal political landscape. While this could help secure a Republican spot in the general election, it might also weaken the party’s chances against the Democratic field.
