Former British political consultant and Fox News personality Steve Hilton has officially entered the 2026 California gubernatorial race as a Republican candidate. His campaign, launched in April 2025, aims to challenge California’s firmly entrenched Democratic leadership. With the state’s progressive policies leading to rising living costs, a worsening housing crisis, and widespread dissatisfaction, Hilton is positioning himself as the political outsider offering change. With his populist message centered around affordability, government efficiency, and accountability, he believes there is an opportunity to reshape the state’s future, despite California’s reputation as a Democratic stronghold.
California’s Changing Political Landscape
For decades, California has been a stronghold for the Democratic Party, with its dominance stretching across nearly every level of government. The state has voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1992, and its two U.S. Senators, Governor, and other statewide officeholders are all Democrats. However, in recent years, there has been a notable shift in the political climate. While the state’s leadership remains solidly blue, increasing dissatisfaction with the cost of living, homelessness, and the state’s budget deficit is fueling discussions on whether change is possible.
Governor Gavin Newsom, who was re-elected in 2022 by a significant margin, continues to oversee a state where homelessness remains rampant and the cost of housing has skyrocketed to levels that many consider unsustainable. A combination of California’s progressive policies on housing, taxes, and public services has contributed to a sense of growing discontent. This discontent has manifested in protests, growing political activism, and public outcry over issues ranging from high taxes to the state’s inability to curb its housing crisis. Hilton sees these issues as an opportunity to step into a void, offering solutions where he believes the current leadership has failed.
Hilton’s Campaign Message: Populism and Accountability
Hilton, who became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2021, is no stranger to political commentary. Known for his role as a host on Fox News, Hilton has spent years critiquing the policies of both U.S. political parties, often aligning himself with a more populist and conservative viewpoint. His slogan, “Make California Golden Again,” taps into nostalgia for what many see as a lost version of California—one that offers affordable housing, economic opportunity, and high-quality education, as it did in the mid-20th century.
His campaign focuses heavily on affordability and efficiency, which he argues have been severely undermined by the state’s progressive policies. Hilton is critical of what he views as a bloated, inefficient state bureaucracy that is responsible for driving up the cost of living and mismanaging key public services. “The people of California are paying the price for an out-of-touch government,” Hilton said during his campaign announcement. “The state’s budget is ballooning while ordinary families are being priced out of their homes and their futures.”
In particular, Hilton’s platform promises to focus on reducing California’s high taxes, eliminating bureaucratic waste, and tackling the homelessness crisis head-on. His approach to the housing crisis is centered around deregulation and incentivizing the construction of affordable housing, which he claims has been stymied by overzealous zoning laws. Hilton has also called for a reduction in taxes for middle-class families, arguing that tax cuts will help ease the financial strain on Californians while stimulating the economy.
Additionally, Hilton is positioning himself as a fiscal conservative who will address California’s long-term budget crisis. The state’s deficit, which has been exacerbated by spending on public services, wildfire recovery, and other social programs, has led to calls for financial reform. Hilton pledges to overhaul state spending, cut unnecessary programs, and bring more fiscal discipline to Sacramento.
The Political and Cultural Divide
One of the key challenges Hilton faces is the deeply entrenched political divide in California. The state is not only dominated by the Democratic Party, but it is also culturally liberal. Issues such as climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigration are central to the state’s identity, and many of its residents are deeply committed to progressive values. As a result, Hilton’s populist rhetoric, which aligns closely with conservative viewpoints, might alienate large sections of the electorate.
The Republican Party in California has been in decline for years, particularly since the rise of Donald Trump. While some conservatives have found success in local races, Republicans have struggled to secure statewide offices, with the last Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, leaving office in 2011. Hilton’s association with Trump-aligned politics could further isolate him from moderates and Democrats in the state, many of whom see Trump as a divisive figure.
Despite this, Hilton’s message of economic reform could resonate with voters dissatisfied with the status quo. His focus on the economic struggles of everyday Californians might help him garner support from working-class voters, particularly those living in suburban and rural areas who feel ignored by the Democratic establishment. His campaign’s emphasis on cutting taxes and reducing government spending could appeal to fiscal conservatives, though his alignment with Trump’s agenda could hinder his ability to reach centrist voters.
A Crowded Democratic Field and the Influence of Trump
Hilton’s entry into the race places him in direct competition with a potentially crowded Democratic field. As of now, the Democratic contenders for the 2026 gubernatorial election include Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, and U.S. Representative Katie Porter. Each of these candidates has strong political credentials, and the Democratic Party’s deep ties to California’s electoral infrastructure provide them with significant advantages.
One of the most significant hurdles Hilton faces is the ongoing popularity of Trump’s influence on the Republican Party. In California, Trump remains deeply unpopular, particularly in the more liberal coastal areas. Although Hilton has distanced himself from some of Trump’s more extreme positions, his association with MAGA loyalists could tarnish his image among centrist and independent voters who may be looking for a fresh alternative to the polarized national politics of the past decade.
Nonetheless, Hilton has shown resilience in his campaign messaging, highlighting his outsider status and promising to bring new leadership to Sacramento. He points to his background as a political consultant in the UK and his years of commentary on U.S. politics as a foundation for his ability to lead California through its current challenges. “I’m not a career politician,” Hilton said in a recent speech. “I’ve spent my life questioning the establishment, and it’s time to do that for California.”
A Long Shot with Potential?
While Hilton’s campaign faces significant challenges, his focus on economic reform, reducing taxes, and holding the government accountable for its failures may resonate with voters dissatisfied with the current leadership. If he can tap into the growing frustration over the cost of living and California’s budgetary crisis, Hilton could become a significant player in the 2026 race. However, the state’s deep blue political leanings and its shifting demographics present significant obstacles, and whether Hilton can overcome these hurdles remains uncertain.
Ultimately, Hilton’s campaign represents a bold attempt to revive the California Republican Party and offer an alternative to the progressive policies that have dominated the state for decades. The coming months will reveal whether his populist message can break through the state’s political divide and capture the hearts of Californians yearning for change.
