Trump Endorsed
Polling Average
20%15%10%5%0%
17.0%
13.2%
12.9%
11.2%
11.1%
11.1%
5.1%
California Governor primary: 1st place
$5.7M
JUN 2, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current rolePolitical strategist
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationCalifornia
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BackgroundPolitical strategist
EducationUniversity of Oxford
Notable personal detailsStephen Glenn Charles Hilton is a British-born political strategist, author, and media commentator who has worked in U.K. Conservative politics and later in U.S. media and policy advocacy. He served as a senior adviser/strategy director to U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron and moved to California in 2012. He has hosted Fox News programming and founded/led policy and civic initiatives including Golden Together. He is a candidate in the 2026 California gubernatorial election.
SourcesShowHide
stevehiltonforgovernor.comen.wikipedia.orgcapradio.orgcbsnews.comfactually.coelpais.comthedailybeast.comlatimes.comkuzz.comkernvote.comtheguardian.comsfgate.comenglish.elpais.comarxiv.orgkeyt.comkabc.comnewsweek.comapnews.comdailycallernewsfoundation.orgaol.compolitico.comnewsmax.comkvor.comkboi.comkqed.orgiheart.comfoxnews.comeverycitizenarmed.comft.comnypost.comthecaliforniaconversation.comthe-sun.comwikidata.orgcongress.govvoterguide.ballotpedia.orggovinfo.govcdn.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgballotready.orgbioguideretro.congress.govfec.govjudiciary.senate.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.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Steve Hilton is in the spotlight as new polling in California’s gubernatorial race shows him among the leading contenders, including polls where he is in first place. Other surveys show him running close behind Democrat Eric Swalwell, underscoring a fluid race with a large share of voters still undecided. The crowded field and California’s top-two primary system are fueling speculation that Republicans like Hilton could make the general election, potentially even alongside another Republican. He also drew attention after Google co-founder Sergey Brin was reported to be donating to his campaign.
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Articles
CNCBS News3 months ago
Steve Hilton, Tom Steyer and Eric Swalwell leading California governor's race, new polls show
Positive
NNewsmax3 months ago
UC Berkeley-Politico Poll: Hilton Leads Calif. Gov Race
Positive
WEWashington Examiner3 months ago
Why Steve Hilton's California poll lead could benefit Democrats
Positive
WWJLA3 months ago
Rep. Eric Swalwell takes lead in open primary for California governor: poll
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
California Governor primary: 1st place
Endorsers of Steve Hilton for California Governor primary: 1st place
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising