President Donald Trump endorsed former Fox News host Steve Hilton for governor of California in an overnight Truth Social post, potentially shaking up a crowded primary race in which the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election, regardless of their political party.
"Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so!" Trump wrote, referring to what he has characterized as the poor leadership of Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democrats running the state.
"With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before!" the president continued. "Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT. He will be a GREAT Governor and, importantly, WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!!!"
The race to replace the term-limited Newsom features eight prominent Democratic candidates and two prominent Republicans. Trump's endorsement of Hilton, an ex-aide to former British Prime Minister David Cameron, comes at the expense of the other major GOP candidate, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. But all candidates will appear on the same primary ballot in what's known as California's "jungle" primary on June 2.
Trump's endorsement could coalesce the Republican vote around one major candidate, while the Democratic vote still appears to be fragmented among the more than half dozen significant candidates.
The Democratic candidates include Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, billionaire Tom Steyer, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former state Controller Betty Yee and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
Polling indicates that there is not a clear front-runner in the race. A poll last month by the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, found that no candidate received more than 17% of voter preferences, and several candidates received similar voter preferences that were within the margin of error.
Hilton and Bianco led the poll, with 17% and 16% of voters preferring them, respectively. Swalwell was the preference of 14% of voters, followed by Porter at 13%, according to the poll.
In March, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks called on candidates who "do not have a viable path to make it to the General Election" not to run in the primary.
"Despite the ongoing chatter, the likelihood of two Republicans effectively 'locking out' California Democrats from the contest for Governor in the General Election is relatively low," Hicks said in an open letter to the Democratic candidates. "However, while it is implausible, it is not impossible and I know we are collectively committed to taking the steps required to avoid that possibility."
Hilton has listed some of his priorities as reducing taxes for workers, improving the possibility of homeownership, and helping students meet state math and English standards.
During his time advising Cameron, Hilton was a driving force in Conservatives’ switch to green issues and an ecological focus, as well as the concept of “the big society,” which aimed to shift power from the state to local communities.
