Fox News Alum Steve Hilton Enters California Governor Race
Conservative commentator joins 2026 race that may include former VP Harris
Steve Hilton, a conservative commentator and former Fox News host, has announced his candidacy for California governor in the 2026 election. Running as a Republican, Hilton formally launched his campaign in Huntington Beach with a platform focused on addressing California's taxes, housing costs, and what he describes as 'the destruction of the California dream.' His campaign theme, 'Golden Again: Great Jobs, Great Homes, Great Kids,' emphasizes what his team calls 'positive populism' aimed at working families.
Hilton, who previously served as an adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron, joins a field that includes prominent Democrats such as former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and former U.S. Representative Katie Porter. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, described as a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, is also running as a Republican. The race could potentially include former Vice President Kamala Harris, who has not ruled out a gubernatorial run in her home state.
KEY POINTS
- •Hilton announces 2026 CA governor run
- •Former VP Harris may join race
- •Last GOP CA governor was in 2006
During his announcement, Hilton specifically referenced the possibility of Harris entering the race, stating that the governor's position should not be a 'consolation prize' for a 'failed and rejected machine politician from Washington.' He also criticized state Democrats for what he characterized as 'extremism and incompetence' in handling January's Southern California wildfires, along with criticizing the party's relationships with activists, unions, and bureaucrats.
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