In California governor's race, Steve Hilton looks to court voters wary of Trump

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Republican gubernatorial nominee Steve Hilton is making an early play for one of the toughest voter blocks for any California Republican: voters who don't like President Donald Trump.

In a new full-page advertisement in the San Francisco Chronicle and a new television ad released Wednesday, Hilton is trying to convince Californians that opposition to Trump does not have to mean opposition to his candidacy. The message comes as Hilton attempts to cut into Democrat Xavier Becerra's sizable advantage in both polling and fundraising.

"I get it: maybe you hate Trump, MAGA or whatever," Hilton says in the new video.

The strategy reflects the political reality facing Hilton in a state dominated by Democrats. Where Trump's endorsement may energize Republican voters, it presents a challenge with the independents and moderate Democrats Hilton would need to assemble a competitive statewide coalition.

When asked whether Trump's endorsement is a liability in California, Hilton argues the opposite.

MORE: Becerra leads Hilton by wide margin in California governor's race, new poll finds

"No, I think it's a positive thing... you'll have a governor with a good relationship with the president and his team and the rest of the administration," Hilton said. "There's so many things where it would be better for Californians if we had a more constructive relationship with the federal government."

Rather than run away from his political affiliations, Hilton said he is trying to be upfront with voters about them while emphasizing what he describes as a pragmatic governing approach.

"I'm just trying to be very honest and clear with people and say, look, I'm not an ideologue. I'm a pragmatic problem solver with business experience. Government reform experience," Hilton said. "Yes, it's true. I'm a Republican. It's true that I was on Fox News. I'm endorsed by Trump. That's all true. But it's also true that I've got some positive, practical plans to make life better."

The Becerra campaign quickly seized on Hilton's relationship with Trump, characterizing their opponent's messaging as disingenuous.

"If you're sick of high prices at the pump and the produce aisle, voters won't find salvation in Donald Trump's disciple," said Jonathan Underland, a Becerra campaign spokesman. "Steve Hilton cheers on a president whose illegal war has sent gas prices soaring and illegal tariffs have cost California families more than $2,500 this year alone. You can't fix the affordability crisis while carrying water for the man causing it."

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Political Data Vice President Paul Mitchell said Hilton's path forward depends on winning support well beyond the GOP base.

"For Steve Hilton to have any chance, he would have to break into a lot of those independent voters and then also more moderate, less partisan Democratic voters," Mitchell said.

Whether that message gains traction could help determine, not just the size of Becerra's advantage, but the shape of the electorate heading into November. Mitchell said a successful effort could dampen some anti-Trump sentiment among swing voters while increasing Republican enthusiasm.

"If he is extremely effective at doing this, he might have an ability to deflate some of the anti-Trump fervor from the Democratic side and do something to increase Republican engagement, maybe soften the anti-Republican stance of a lot of more moderate Democrats," Mitchell said.

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For now, however, the numbers remain daunting for the Republican nominee.

A Public Policy Institute of California poll released last week found Becerra leading Hilton 61% to 36%.

The financial picture is similarly lopsided. Campaign finance reports show that since the June primary, Becerra has raised more than $6 million, while Hilton has raised around $812,000.

Even with those advantages, Becerra's campaign told ABC7 Eyewitness News it is not taking any votes for granted and plans to continue running an aggressive statewide campaign.