President Donald Trump urged Californians to vote for Republican Steve Hilton in Tuesday’s California gubernatorial primary, stating on Truth Social that “He will work with me and the Federal Government, the money will flow because I have confidence in him (but not any of the others!), and we will MAKE CALIFORNIA GREAT AGAIN.”
The endorsement capped a strong final push by Trump on behalf of Hilton, who is seeking to become California’s first Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in 2011. In a separate Truth Social post Monday night, Trump praised Hilton as a longtime friend who understands the challenges facing the Golden State under Democrat leadership. “I have known and respected Steve Hilton … for many years,” Trump wrote. “Gavin Newscum and the Democrats have done an absolutely horrendous job. People are fleeing, Crime is increasing, and Taxes are the highest of any State in the Country.”
Trump added that Hilton “can turn it around” and pledged his administration would work closely with a Hilton government. California voters headed to the polls Tuesday in a crowded race to succeed term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom. Under the state’s top-two primary system, the two highest vote-getters advance to the November general election regardless of party affiliation.
Recent polling shows Hilton emerging as the leading Republican candidate in a field that includes Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. Democrat contenders include former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, billionaire activist Tom Steyer, former Representative Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond.
Hilton has centered his campaign on California’s affordability crisis, promising to make the state “Califordable” again and restore opportunities for families struggling with high housing costs, taxes, and regulations. A recent CBS News poll found that 70% of registered California voters described the cost of living as “unmanageable,” while only 7% said the traditional “California Dream” remains attainable.
Trump’s backing could prove critical in a race where no clear front-runner has emerged. The president endorsed Hilton earlier this year over Bianco, another Trump ally, helping elevate Hilton’s profile among Republican voters.
