Campaign

Republican gubernatorial candidate dismisses Trump’s approval rating in California

Comments:

by Max Rego - 04/19/26 4:16 PM ET

Comments:

Link copied

by Max Rego - 04/19/26 4:16 PM ET

Comments:

Link copied

NOW PLAYING

Steve Hilton, a Republican running for governor in California, said Sunday that President Trump’s low approval rating in his state will not play a role in the outcome of the gubernatorial race.

“This election is going to be about the future of California and the fact that we’re desperate for change in California,” Hilton, whom Trump endorsed earlier this month, told host Chris Stirewalt on “The Hill Sunday.”

The conservative commentator and adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron went on to lament the Golden State’s poverty and unemployment rates, along with the high cost of living, and said those issues have “nothing to do” with Trump.

“That’s entirely due to Democrat policies after 16 years of one-party rule,” Hilton continued. “That’s the argument that I’ll be making in the debate on Wednesday and then into the general election.

“Why would you expect a different result if you keep voting the same way? The answer for California is not another Democrat. It’s a completely new direction and that’s what I’m offering.”

A poll conducted last May by the Public Policy Institute of California found that just 29 percent of California adults approve of Trump, including 82 percent of Republicans, 31 percent of independents and 6 percent of Democrats.

Ahead of Wednesday’s debate on Nexstar affiliate KTLA-TV in Los Angeles, the race to advance to the general election after the June 2 primary remains heated.

After former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) withdrew from the race after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct, a poll conducted last week by Emerson College found that 17 percent of 1,000 respondents backed Hilton, 14 percent backed Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (R), 14 percent backed businessman Tom Steyer (D) and 10 percent each backed former Rep. Katie Porter (D) and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra (D).

The two leading vote-getters, regardless of party, will advance to the general election. California has not had a Republican governor since former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) left office in January 2011.

But Hilton threw cold water on the potential that he and Bianco will advance to the general election.

“I’ve never thought that’s a realistic possibility,” he told Stirewalt. “You’ve got the massive financial power of the government unions and their corrupt relationship with the Democrat politicians. You’ve got the billionaire Tom Steyer. They will spend whatever it takes to make sure that there’s a Democrat in the top two.”

As for which Democrat he expects to face if he advances to the general, Hilton predicted it would be Steyer or Porter. The former Fox News host said it is “very important” to “make sure” that two Democrats do not advance from the primary.

“That actually is the scenario I think we really need to be worried about and that we need to unite behind the leading Republican,” Hilton added.

Add as preferred source on Google