Overview of How a Trump-Endorsed Republican Could Become California’s Next Governor
This episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour examines the unusual and potentially significant rise of Steve Hilton, a Trump-endorsed Republican who is polling near the top in California’s governor’s race despite the state’s strong Democratic registration advantage. The interview explores how California’s top-two primary system, Democratic vote-splitting, and widespread frustration with the state’s affordability and bureaucracy have created an opening for Hilton, a British-born former adviser to David Cameron and former Fox News host.
Key Points
Why Hilton thinks he can win in California
- Hilton argues that California voters are desperate for change after years of one-party Democratic control.
- He points to California’s high cost of living, unemployment, and declining opportunity as evidence that the state is failing.
- He believes the election will hinge less on Donald Trump’s popularity and more on everyday concerns like housing, jobs, and affordability.
His background and political identity
- Hilton was born in the U.K. and moved to California in 2012, originally because of his wife’s job at Google and family considerations.
- He says he has experience that fits an executive role:
- advising in government,
- starting and running businesses,
- and working in media.
- He presents himself as a practical problem-solver rather than a traditional politician.
His support for Trump
- Hilton says he supports Trump largely on policy, especially the border and immigration enforcement.
- He praises Trump for acting quickly on issues he believes were mishandled under Biden.
- When pressed on Trump’s rhetoric and popularity in California, Hilton avoids moral judgments and says he is focused on governing issues, not personality politics.
His response to ICE and immigration enforcement
- He describes the scenes of ICE activity in California as “horrible” but says the conflict resulted from confrontational state leadership.
- He argues that a governor should work cooperatively with federal authorities instead of escalating tensions.
- He suggests a more restrained, pragmatic model similar to past administrations.
His policy pitch: cutting bureaucracy and boosting growth
- Hilton’s platform centers on:
- affordability,
- reducing bureaucracy,
- and increasing oil and natural gas production.
- He says California’s oversized bureaucracy is a major reason businesses leave and jobs are not created.
“CalDOGE” and his anti-waste campaign
- Hilton says his campaign is already doing “CalDOGE,” a California version of the federal Department of Government Efficiency concept associated with Elon Musk and Trump.
- He claims volunteers and an AI-assisted team are reviewing public spending and have already found examples of misallocated funds.
- One example he cites: a climate-related solar panel program that allegedly spent far less on its intended purpose than advertised.
- He frames this as proof that California needs a government-efficiency overhaul before he takes office.
His broader political philosophy
- Hilton says his politics are shaped by a belief in decentralization of power.
- He says he supported Brexit for similar reasons: he distrusts centralized bureaucratic power, whether in the EU or in California.
- He places himself in the tradition of limiting top-down government and returning decision-making closer to the people.
Notable Takeaways
- California’s unusual primary system may be helping Hilton by splitting the Democratic vote among many candidates.
- Hilton is betting that local issues beat national politics in a state where Trump is deeply unpopular.
- His campaign is as much about managerial competence as ideology, with a strong emphasis on efficiency, bureaucracy, and economic frustration.
- He is clearly aligned with Trump on policy, but he tries to keep the focus on California-specific problems rather than Trump’s personality or controversies.
Bottom Line
Steve Hilton’s candidacy reflects a broader political message: if California voters are unhappy enough with cost of living, government inefficiency, and stagnation, a Trump-backed Republican with an outsider story and a technocratic pitch may be able to compete even in a deep-blue state. The interview frames him as both an unlikely contender and a test case for whether practical dissatisfaction can outweigh partisan identity in modern California politics.