Republican Steve Hilton Leads California Governor Race Amid Democratic Field Chaos

In 2016, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump asked Black voters, "What do you have to lose?" He urged African American voters to reconsider their loyalty to the Democratic Party, which he said took them for granted and failed to meet key needs like good education for their children.

Steve Hilton, a Republican running for governor of California, should ask Golden State voters the same question. California ranks as one of the nation's most expensive places to live, due to decisions by Democrats who have held a two-thirds supermajority in the Legislature since 2018 and the governor's office since 2011.

A recent CBS News poll showed half of California voters seeking a candidate who promises change. Hilton, a former Fox News host and adviser to the U.K.'s conservative government under David Cameron, leads the crowded field. The state also struggles with high rates of homelessness, poverty and illegal immigration, while businesses and residents leave over high taxes and regulations.

Even some Democrats call for a shift. Gubernatorial candidate Matt Mahan, mayor of San Jose for three years and a Silicon Valley and Harvard graduate, said, "We don’t need MAGA, but we don’t need more of the same." He has faulted his party on homelessness and public safety.

California's primary election is June 2, with mail-in voting under way. The state uses an open primary, sending the top two candidates to November regardless of party. Weeks ago, Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco led, with more than eight Democrats dividing votes. That could have set up a Republican gubernatorial matchup for the first time since Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Democrats responded by urging candidates to drop out. Rep. Eric Swalwell, who was leading, quit after sexual misconduct allegations surfaced. His exit lifted billionaire Tom Steyer and former Biden Cabinet official Xavier Becerra, who now trail Hilton. Bianco fell to fourth.

A New York Times report noted Democratic frustration over the lackluster field and former Vice President Kamala Harris's decision not to run. An Emerson poll a year ago showed Harris with 31% of voters and 49% of Democrats. Steyer, a progressive hedge fund manager, is second after spending more than $132 million, on pace for the state's costliest gubernatorial campaign.

Becerra, a former congressman and Health and Human Services secretary, picked up Swalwell's traditional Democratic support. Hilton pledges to end the state's war on business, cut taxes, control spending and improve schools. He notes on his website that only 35 percent of K-12 students meet state math standards and 47 percent meet English standards.

A CBS poll found 70% of Californians view living costs as unmanageable, with majorities of Republicans and independents, plus 39% of Democrats, calling the economy bad. Democratic climate policies have spiked energy costs; gasoline exceeds $6 per gallon, over 40% above the national average. Housing costs more than elsewhere due to environmental rules, individual income taxes are the nation's highest and unemployment ties Delaware for first.

Hilton has the most individual donors and draws crowds at rallies. President Trump endorsed him, though Trump's approval in California sits below 40%. Democrats hold 46% registration, with the rest split among Republicans, independents and others.