Republican Steve Hilton Leads California Governor Race Amid Democratic Shakeup

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 schools for their children.

Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and advisor to the UK Conservative government under David Cameron, is asking the same question of California voters in his bid for governor. Democrats have held a two-thirds supermajority in the state legislature since 2018 and the governor's office since 2011. The state ranks among the nation's most expensive places to live, with high rates of homelessness, poverty and illegal immigration. Businesses and residents have left due to taxes and regulations.

A recent CBS poll found half of California voters want a candidate promising change. Seventy percent called the cost of living unmanageable. Majorities of Republicans and independents, plus 39 percent of Democrats, rated the economy as bad.

Even Democrat Matt Mahan, San Jose mayor and Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur, called for a new direction. "We don’t need MAGA, but we don’t need more of the same," he said. He has criticized his party on homelessness and public safety.

Primary day is June 2, with mail-in voting underway. Hilton leads a large field in California's open primary, where the top two advance to November regardless of party.

Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco recently led, with eight Democrats splitting votes. That raised the prospect of the first Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger. Democrats urged candidates to drop out. When that failed, allegations of sexual misconduct ended Eric Swalwell's campaign. Swalwell had been leading but risked becoming a liability.

Swalwell's exit lifted Tom Steyer, a billionaire environmental activist, and Xavier Becerra, former Biden Health and Human Services secretary and congressman. They trail Hilton, with Bianco now fourth.

Democrats hold 46 percent of registered voters, split evenly with Republicans and independents. Hilton has Trump's endorsement, though Trump's approval in California is below 40 percent.

The Democratic field lacks strength. The New York Times reported party dismay over Kamala Harris staying out. An Emerson poll a year ago showed her leading with 31 percent overall and 49 percent among Democrats. Steyer, a progressive hedge fund manager, is second after spending over $132 million, on track for the most expensive gubernatorial campaign in state history. Bernie Sanders endorsed him despite Sanders once saying billionaires should not exist.

Democratic climate policies have raised energy costs. Gasoline exceeds $6 per gallon, 40 percent above the national average. Housing costs more due to environmental rules. The state has the highest individual income taxes and ties Delaware for highest unemployment.

Hilton pledges to end the war on business, cut taxes, control spending and improve schools. "Only 35 percent of K-12 students meet state math standards, and only 47 percent meet state English language standards," he posted on his website.

Hilton's campaign has the most individual donors and draws enthusiastic rallies.