California Governor primary: 1st place
8dSteve Hilton's odds are down 15.8 points and are now 3% in the California Governor primary: 1st place.
3%16%
California Governor primary: 1st place
$6.4M
JUN 2, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current rolePolitical strategist
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age56 years old (Aug 25, 1969)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundPolitical strategist
EducationChrist's Hospital School (bursary student)
Notable personal detailsSteve Hilton is a Republican candidate for Governor of California in the 2026 election cycle. He is a political strategist and media personality who served as director of strategy for U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron (2010–2012) and later worked as a television and podcast host in the United States. He studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at New College, Oxford, and has lived in California since moving from the U.K. in 2012; he became a U.S. citizen in 2021.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgstevehiltonforgovernor.comkesq.comkeyt.comcapradio.orgcbsnews.comfactually.colatimes.comelpais.comtheguardian.comtheatlantic.comnbclosangeles.comlemonde.frapnews.comthedailybeast.comkqed.orgwashingtonpost.comsacobserver.comalmanacnews.comnewsweek.comdailycallernewsfoundation.orgaol.compolitico.comnewsmax.comkvor.comkboi.comiheart.comkabc.comfoxnews.comeverycitizenarmed.comft.comnypost.comthecaliforniaconversation.comthe-sun.comaxios.comfec.govvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgballotready.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgdocquery.fec.govemmer.house.govwikidata.orghistory.house.govdaines.senate.govgovinfo.govcdn.ballotpedia.orgcongress.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate proposes large tax cuts including eliminating state income tax for households earning under $100,000 and replacing the current brackets with a 7.5% flat tax on earnings above $100,000, while also calling for major reductions in state spending and significant deregulation to shrink California’s administrative state.
Healthcare
The candidate supports cutting state healthcare spending for noncitizens (ending full Medi‑Cal coverage for undocumented immigrants) and redirecting savings to expand affordability for citizens and legal residents, advocates reforms to Medicaid/mental‑health funding, and emphasizes reducing overall government healthcare spending and wait times. He frames healthcare changes as part of broader spending reductions and affordability initiatives rather than expanding public coverage programs.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger immigration enforcement and greater cooperation with federal immigration authorities, criticizes California sanctuary policies, and frames enforcement as necessary to uphold the rule of law and public safety. Emphasizes targeting noncitizens with criminal records and faults state leaders for not enforcing existing laws.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate positions toward restricting abortion access and promoting pro-life policies; he has said he would ‘move us towards life’ as governor and indicated actions to roll back California’s abortion-supportive policies, including allowing extradition of an out-of-state doctor accused in an abortion-related case.
Climate & Energy
The candidate opposes California’s current renewable mandates and climate regulations, proposes repealing the Renewable Portfolio Standard, Low Carbon Fuel Standard, cap-and-trade, and other mandates, and prioritizes affordable, reliable energy including natural gas and nuclear while protecting farmland from utility-scale solar. The campaign frames these policies as driving high energy and gasoline costs and calls for dismantling what it describes as Democrat ‘climate extremism’ in favor of market-driven and affordability-focused energy policy.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate emphasizes strong support for law enforcement and public safety while expressing support for the Second Amendment and the right to self‑defense. He has also written in favor of meaningful gun reforms such as expanded background checks and red flag measures while aiming to protect gun ownership rights.
Latest Insights
California Governor primary: 1st place
9dHilton’s first-place contract is still trading near 10% while AP and LA Times reporting show him narrowly ahead in early counting, keeping him a live repricing name even though Becerra remains the overall favorite.
10%1%
California Governor primary: 1st place
10dEarly returns have Steve Hilton ahead of Xavier Becerra, flipping the market’s prior Becerra-favorite setup and making the top-two order a live trader watchpoint.
8%
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 13, 2026
Steve Hilton has advanced to the November general election in California’s governor’s race after finishing second in the state’s top-two primary. He is set to face Xavier Becerra, with late-counted mail ballots still shaping the final vote totals. The race has also drawn attention because of claims about slow counting and fraud, but officials have said the delays are due to California’s ballot-processing rules.
en.wikipedia.org+46
Articles
HHuffPost1 day ago
Wealthy Self-Funding Candidates Fell Short In 2 California Primaries
Neutral
TMThe Mercury News2 days ago
California primary election fraud claims debunked
Neutral
NYNew York Post2 days ago
Trump reveals role in Steve Hilton advancing in California governor's race
Positive
NYNew York Post2 days ago
California primary system forced GOP to get strategic
Positive
Polls
Polling Average
20%15%10%5%0%
17.0%
13.2%
12.9%
11.2%
11.1%
11.1%
5.1%
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising