On April 22, 2025, conservative commentator and former Fox News host Steve Hilton announced his candidacy for the 2026 California gubernatorial election, aiming to succeed term-limited Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. Hilton, a Republican, launched his campaign in Huntington Beach, California, with a message centered on restoring the “California dream” and addressing the state’s pressing issues, including high taxes, soaring housing costs, and recent devastating wildfires. His campaign, themed “Golden Again: Great Jobs, Great Homes, Great Kids,” emphasizes practical solutions and a rejection of ideological governance. This article provides a comprehensive look at Hilton’s announcement, his background, his critiques of California’s current leadership, and the competitive landscape of the 2026 race, incorporating key quotes from original sources to highlight his positions.
Background and Political Experience
Steve Hilton, born in the United Kingdom, brings a unique blend of international political experience and media presence to the gubernatorial race. A graduate of New College at Oxford, Hilton served as a senior advisor to former British Prime Minister David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party. Reflecting on California’s current state, Hilton drew parallels to the UK’s struggles in the 1970s, stating in a campaign announcement video, “[California] really reminds me of Britain in the 1970s. The UK was called the ‘sick man of Europe’. There’s no other way of looking at California today than the ‘sick man of America’” (Fox News, April 21, 2025). This comparison underscores his view of California as a state in decline, necessitating urgent reform.
After moving to California in 2012, Hilton embraced the state’s entrepreneurial spirit, co-founding Crowdpac.com, a Silicon Valley tech startup aimed at increasing political engagement. His media career flourished in the U.S., where he hosted The Next Revolution on Fox News from 2017 to 2023, becoming a prominent conservative voice. Hilton’s recent book, Califailure, critiques the state’s governance under Democratic leadership, a theme central to his campaign. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, he expressed his deep connection to the state, saying, “I love this state. It’s the best place in the world as far as I’m concerned” (Fox News, April 21, 2025).
Campaign Launch and Key Issues
Hilton’s campaign kickoff in Huntington Beach, a conservative stronghold southeast of Los Angeles, was a strategic choice to rally Republican voters in a heavily Democratic state. He used the platform to critique the state’s Democratic leadership, blaming them for economic and social challenges. “We have the highest taxes in the country, but also the highest rate of poverty. You have one-third of Californians who can’t meet their basic needs. We have the highest housing costs. It’s the number one reason people are leaving the state,” Hilton told Fox News Digital (April 21, 2025). These remarks highlight his focus on affordability and economic opportunity, issues resonating with many Californians facing a high cost of living.
Hilton also addressed the devastating Southern California wildfires of January 2025, particularly the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, which together destroyed over 15,800 structures and claimed at least 30 lives. He attributed the scale of the disaster to “Democratic extremism and incompetence” and the party’s “industrial complex” of activists, unions, and bureaucrats (Associated Press, April 22, 2025). While he did not specify policy failures, the fires exposed vulnerabilities in the state’s infrastructure, such as the Los Angeles water system’s failure during the Palisades Fire, where hydrants ran dry. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced criticism for being abroad when the fires began and later dismissed the city’s fire chief amid disputes over preparedness.
Hilton’s campaign slogan, “Golden Again,” reflects his vision to restore California’s prosperity. His platform, described as “positive populism,” prioritizes working families through policies promoting job growth, affordable housing, and quality education. According to a campaign statement, Hilton is “reinforcing his commitment to positive, practical solutions instead of today’s ideology and dogma” (Associated Press, April 22, 2025). This approach aims to distinguish him from both Democratic opponents and traditional Republican rhetoric.
Stance on Potential Opponents
The 2026 gubernatorial race is shaping up to be highly competitive, with a crowded field of candidates. On the Democratic side, prominent names include former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Representative Katie Porter, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, is the other Republican contender. However, speculation surrounds former Vice President Kamala Harris, a former California senator and attorney general, who has not ruled out a run.
Hilton directly addressed Harris’s potential candidacy, welcoming the challenge but criticizing her motives. He stated, “The governor’s job is not a ‘consolation prize’ to be handed out to a failed and rejected machine politician from Washington … who thinks she should get this job because of her identity, not her ability” (Associated Press, April 22, 2025). This remark references Harris’s 2024 presidential election loss and her historic potential to become the first Black woman elected governor in the U.S. Hilton’s comment reflects his strategy to frame the race as a merit-based contest, though it risks alienating voters who view Harris’s identity as a historic milestone.
Political Context and Challenges
California’s political landscape presents significant challenges for Hilton. Democrats hold a supermajority in the state legislature, and no Republican has won a statewide race since Arnold Schwarzenegger’s gubernatorial victory in 2006. However, a recent Sacramento Bee poll indicated that 48% of likely California voters would consider supporting a Republican for governor, suggesting an opening for a candidate like Hilton (Fox News, April 21, 2025). He emphasized the stakes of the election, warning, “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” (Fox News, April 21, 2025).
California faces complex issues, including homelessness, crime, and fiscal challenges with programs like Medi-Cal. The state’s high cost of living, driven by taxation and gas prices, has fueled an exodus, with hundreds of thousands of residents leaving annually since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Hilton’s campaign must address these issues while appealing to a diverse electorate in a state where Republicans are outnumbered.
Endorsements and Support
Hilton’s candidacy has already garnered notable support. Former presidential candidate and current Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy endorsed him, posting on X, “Steve Hilton represents American excellence. He’s a great entrepreneur & communicator, and he’ll be a dominant Governor of California” (Fox News, April 21, 2025). Ramaswamy’s endorsement, rooted in their personal acquaintance, bolsters Hilton’s visibility among conservative voters.
Electoral Process
California’s top-two primary system, where all candidates compete on a single ballot regardless of party and the top two advance to the general election, adds complexity to the race. This system could benefit Hilton if he consolidates Republican support, but he faces the challenge of standing out in a field with high-profile Democrats. The potential entry of Kamala Harris could further shake up the dynamics, positioning her as a Democratic frontrunner.
Conclusion
Steve Hilton’s entry into the 2026 California gubernatorial race marks a significant development in a contest that will shape the state’s future. His campaign leverages his media prominence, entrepreneurial background, and conservative credentials to challenge Democratic dominance. By focusing on affordability, wildfire recovery, and practical governance, Hilton aims to resonate with voters frustrated by the status quo. However, his path to victory is fraught with challenges in a Democratic stronghold, particularly if high-profile candidates like Kamala Harris join the race. As Hilton declared, “We have a combination of idiots and ideologues who’ve been running this state into the ground, ruining what I consider to be the greatest state and the greatest nation on earth, and it’s time for change” (Fox News, April 21, 2025). Whether his vision for a “Golden Again” California gains traction remains to be seen.
