Steve Hilton launches campaign for California governor

Trump‑endorsed Republican Steve Hilton, a British‑born former Fox News host, formally began his bid for California governor on 22 July. At a news conference in a Boyle Heights auto‑body shop — chosen for its proximity to the recent cold‑storage fire — Hilton presented a full‑page advertisement in the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle aimed at voters who are dissatisfied with the state’s direction but do not support Donald Trump. The ad asks readers, “Can you be anti‑Trump and still vote for me?” and offers a checklist of statements such as “I can’t stand Trump, but I’m not happy with the way things have been run in California lately” and “I want to fight climate change, but $6.00 gas is crazy!”

Hilton criticized Governor Gavin Newsom for alleged failures in education, public safety and affordability, positioning himself as a pragmatic problem‑solver intent on lowering gas prices, electricity costs, taxes and housing prices. He finished second in the June primary behind Democratic nominee Xavier Becerra and is now targeting the “52 percent of likely voters who believe California is on the wrong track,” according to his internal polling.

The campaign launch underscores the Republican effort to appeal to anti‑Trump voters in a state dominated by Democrats, while highlighting issues of affordability and governance that the candidate says the current administration has neglected.