California, a Democratic stronghold for decades, is gearing up for a important 2026 governer election that could challenge its political landscape. With Governor Gavin Newsom term-limited and unable to run again, the race is wide open, and media personality Steve Hilton’s entry as a Republican candidate has sparked speculation: Could California “flip red” and elect a Republican governor for the first time since Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2006 victory?
Steve Hilton’s Gubernatorial Governor Announcement:
On April 21, 2025, Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, Silicon Valley entrepreneur, and author of Califailure: Reversing the Ruin of America’s Worst-Run State, officially announced his candidacy for California governor. Hilton commented on his election run in an interview with Fox News Digital on the “Saturday Night w/ Jimmy Failla” show, and reinforced through a campaign video shared on X, where Hilton outlined his vision to “Make California Golden Again.”
He also spoke with The Free Press, emphasizing his commitment to reversing what he sees as the state’s decline under Democratic leadership.
Hilton, a British-born U.S. citizen since 2021, now living in California, brings a unique background to the race. A former senior advisor to UK Prime Minister David Cameron and founder of the tech startup Crowdpac, he has positioned himself as a “positive populist” with a focus on practical, non-ideological solutions.
His announcement resonated with conservative voters, particularly after he was quickly endorsed by Vivek Ramaswamy, a prominent Republican figure running for Ohio governor.
What Is Steve Hilton Running For?
Hilton is running to become California’s next governor, succeeding Gavin Newsom, who will leave office in January 2027 due to term limits. The governor’s role is critical, overseeing the nation’s most populous state with a $300 billion budget, addressing issues like housing, homelessness, crime, and climate policy. Hilton aims to challenge the Democratic supermajority’s dominance and restore what he calls the “California Dream” of opportunity and upward mobility.
Who Is Steve Hilton Running Against?
The 2026 gubernatorial race is shaping up to be a crowded and competitive field. California’s “jungle primary” system, where the top two vote-getters in the June 2, 2026, primary advance to the general election regardless of party, adds unpredictability. Here are some key candidates:
- Democratic Contenders:
- Kamala Harris, former Vice President, is a potential frontrunner but has not yet confirmed her candidacy. She is expected to decide by summer 2025. Hilton has expressed enthusiasm about facing her, stating, “Kamala Harris would be a great opponent to face because she’d bring a lot of attention to the race and the issues that California faces.”
- Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor, was the first major candidate to declare in April 2023. She boasts endorsements from Hillary Clinton and Barbara Boxer. Kounalakis emphasized her readiness, saying, “I’m running to build a California where every family can thrive, with affordable housing and quality education.”
- Toni Atkins, former Senate President pro tempore, aims to make history as the state’s first woman and openly LGBTQ+ governor. Atkins stated, “California needs bold leadership to tackle our housing crisis and ensure opportunity for all.”
- Antonio Villaraigosa, former Los Angeles Mayor, is a moderate Democrat with prior gubernatorial campaign experience. He said, “I’m in this to bring practical solutions to California’s toughest challenges, from homelessness to affordability.”
- Katie Porter, former U.S. Representative, is known for her progressive stance. She noted, “Californians deserve a governor who fights for working families and holds powerful interests accountable.”
- Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Betty Yee, former State Controller, are also in the race, with Thurmond saying, “Education and equity will be at the heart of my campaign.”
- Republican Contenders:
- Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff, is a conservative critic of Newsom and a strong contender for the GOP base. Bianco has not yet commented directly on Hilton’s entry but previously said, “California needs a governor who prioritizes public safety and fiscal responsibility.”
- Other potential Republican candidates include Caitlyn Jenner, Brian Dahle, and Leo Zacky, though none have Hilton’s media prominence.
The 2026 California Governor elections will occur in two stages:
- Primary Election: June 2, 2026, statewide, where all candidates compete in a nonpartisan “jungle primary.” The top two vote-getters advance.
- General Election: November 3, 2026, statewide, pitting the primary’s top two candidates against each other. The winner will be sworn in as governor in January 2027.
Elections will be held across California’s 58 counties, with voting options including in-person polling, mail-in ballots, and drop boxes, as per the state’s robust voter access system.
Hilton’s campaign is driven by his belief that California is in crisis after 15 years of Democratic one-party rule. He argues that the state, once a symbol of the American Dream, now faces skyrocketing housing costs, high taxes, poverty, crime, and homelessness. In his announcement, Hilton stated:
- “A big decision that I’ve made, which I can now share with you, is that I am, in fact, going to be running for governor of California for 2026. I love this state. It’s the best place in the world as far as I’m concerned.”
- “But after 15 years of one-party rule, this state is barely recognizable. And I honestly think that the 2026 election in California is a life-or-death moment because if we continue with this one-party rule by the Democrats, things are just gonna really start to deteriorate very rapidly.”
- “There’s no other way of looking at California today than the ‘sick man of America’.”
Hilton’s platform, shaped by his work with Golden Together, a policy group he founded in 2023, focuses on:
- Reducing regulations to lower business and living costs.
- Addressing housing shortages and affordability.
- Tackling crime and homelessness with practical solutions.
- Restoring economic opportunity for working families.
He also draws parallels to 1970s Britain, which he described as the “sick man of Europe” before conservative reforms, suggesting California needs a similar political shakeup.
Can California “Flip Red” in 2026?
The idea of California “flipping red” is ambitious but faces steep challenges. Democrats hold a supermajority in the state legislature, and the last Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, won in 2006 during a unique political climate. Since then, California has grown more liberal, with Democrats dominating statewide offices.
However, there are signs of opportunity for Republicans:
- A 2024 Sacramento Bee poll found 48% of likely California voters would consider voting for a Republican governor, reflecting frustration with crime, inflation, and housing costs.
- In the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump flipped 10 California counties that he lost in 2020, and voters passed Proposition 36, which toughened penalties for theft and drug crimes, signaling a shift toward conservative priorities.
- Hilton’s media savvy and Silicon Valley connections could attract moderate and independent voters, especially if he avoids divisive culture war issues.
Still, the Democratic voter registration advantage (46.9% vs. 24.1% Republican as of 2024) and the state’s progressive lean make a Republican victory an uphill battle. The jungle primary system offers a path for a Republican to reach the general election, but winning statewide requires broad appeal.
Hilton’s announcement generated significant media buzz, with outlets highlighting both his bold vision and the challenges ahead:
- Fox News: “The California 2026 gubernatorial race just got a major shakeup with Republican Steve Hilton entering the race to be Gov. Gavin Newsom’s successor.” The outlet emphasized his “Make California Golden Again” slogan and his critique of Democratic governance.
- Los Angeles Times: Described Hilton as “the second prominent Republican to enter the 2026 race” and noted his appeal among conservatives, with Conyers Davis, a former Schwarzenegger advisor, saying, “Fortune favors the bold. It is an uphill battle for a Republican to win statewide office, but if bold people like Steve don’t emerge, Republicans aren’t going to win.”
- The New York Times: Highlighted the “difficult odds” Hilton faces in a Democratic-led state but noted his focus on cost-of-living and business-friendly policies could resonate.
- POLITICO: Called Hilton’s entry a “battle for the GOP base,” setting him against Sheriff Chad Bianco, and praised his organized approach, quoting former California GOP chair Jim Brulte: “He is thinking very seriously about running for governor and he is doing it in a very organized way.”
- NPR: In an interview before his official announcement, Hilton outlined his critique of California’s one-party rule, with host A Martinez noting his book Califailure as a potential platform blueprint.
Some media outlets, like the Los Angeles Times, questioned Hilton’s claims, such as his assertion that California has the nation’s highest unemployment rate, clarifying that states like Nevada and Michigan had higher rates in March 2025.
Additional Information
- Hilton’s Background: Born in the UK, Hilton graduated from Oxford and advised David Cameron before moving to California in 2012. He hosted The Next Revolution on Fox News from 2017 to 2023 and remains a contributor. His Silicon Valley ties, including co-founding Crowdpac, give him a unique blend of political and entrepreneurial credibility.
- Golden Together: Hilton’s policy group has released whitepapers on housing, business climate, and wildfire management, signaling a data-driven approach to governance. Lanhee Chen, a Golden Together board member and former GOP candidate, believes Hilton’s profile could make him competitive.
- Vivek Ramaswamy’s Endorsement: Ramaswamy, a Trump ally, posted on X: “Steve Hilton represents American excellence. He’s a great entrepreneur & communicator, and he’ll be a dominant Governor of California.”
- Kamala Harris’s Potential Impact: If Harris enters the race, some Democratic candidates, like Katie Porter, may withdraw, consolidating the Democratic vote. However, her entry could energize Republicans eager to challenge her post-2024 presidential loss.
- Republican Strategy: GOP leaders are seeking a high-profile candidate to capitalize on recent electoral gains, with some suggesting Hilton’s media presence and moderate tone could attract crossover voters.
Steve Hilton’s entry into the 2026 California gubernatorial race has injected energy into the Republican field, raising questions about whether the state could “flip red” for the first time in two decades. His focus on affordability, safety, and opportunity, paired with his media charisma, makes him a formidable candidate, but the Democratic dominance and a crowded primary pose significant hurdles.
With the primary on June 2, 2026, and the general election on November 3, 2026, all eyes will be on whether Hilton can unite the GOP base and appeal to moderates in a state yearning for change.
As Hilton himself declared, “It’s time to make California Golden Again. We need some balance here after 15 years of Democrat one-party rule. Positive, practical policies that actually help people, not ideological crusades.”
Whether his vision resonates with enough Californians to defy the odds remains to be seen, but his campaign promises a dynamic and closely watched race.
Watch Steve Hilton’s Announcement for California Governor Bid
Ref
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_California_gubernatorial_election
- Fox News Digital, April 21, 2025
- X posts from Steve Hilton
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