Pres. Trump endorses former Fox News host Steve Hilton for California governor
President Donald Trump delivered a major endorsement in the California governor's race that could shake things up.
Late Sunday night, Trump endorsed Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host. He chose Hilton over the other Republican in the race, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.
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Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social that he has known and respected Hilton for years, calling him a "truly fine man."
"People are fleeing [California], crime is increasing, and Taxes are the highest of any State in the Country, maybe the World. Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so! With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before! Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT. He will be a GREAT Governor and, importantly, WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!!!" Trump wrote.
His endorsement has the potential to consolidate support for Hilton, which could help him move on past the June 2 primary, limiting the chances of two Republicans boxing out the crowded field of Democrats.
Hilton is running on a message of overhauling state government, saying California's bureaucracy has stifled opportunity.
"Cut this insane, bloated nanny state bureaucracy down to size. It is destroying opportunity in California in every single area," Hilton said last Wednesday at a candidate forum in Fresno. "That's what you'll get from me as your governor-a problem solving, practical business mindset," he said.
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Political analysts say that Trump's endorsement all but ensures a Democratic-Republican matchup in November.
Republican strategist Tim Rosales said Trump's endorsement elevates Hilton above other GOP candidates and strengthens his position in the primary.
"I don't think it certainly is fatal for the Bianco campaign," he said. "But they do need to reassess and be in the position of, 'okay, what is it that we do next in order to grab the Republican votes and maybe even some independent votes that we're going to need in order to make it into the top two?'"
At the same time, Rosales said Trump's backing carries risks in a heavily Democratic state.
"When you get into a general election, it still means that there is a huge gap of Democrats that are never going to vote for anyone who is supported by President Trump in California. And that's just the math," he said.
Political observers say the endorsement also reduces Democrats' concerns about the possibility of two Republicans advancing out of California's toptwo primary system.
"It was already very unlikely that both Republicans would move on to the general election runoff," said Dan Schnur, a political professor at UC Berkeley and University of Southern California. "At this point, it's a virtual certainty that Hilton will face off in November against whichever Democrat gets the most votes in the June primary."
