RedState's Rusty Weiss reported that President Trump endorsed former Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host who also served as Director of Strategy for former UK Prime Minister David Cameron, for Governor of California. Hilton supporters cheered, while Chad Bianco supporters seemed unfazed in their support for the Riverside County Sheriff.
Here was Hilton's response to the endorsement:
"I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of our President, Donald J. Trump. ... three-dollar gas, cut your electric bills in half, your first 100-grand tax-free, a home you can afford to buy. That's what I mean by making this state truly golden again. The best place in America, the best place in the world, to start and raise a family, to start and run a business. That's what we can have in California. We can have it if we vote for it."
I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of our President, Donald J Trump.
— Steve Hilton (@SteveHiltonx) April 6, 2026
The Democrat machine arrogantly assumes it will rule forever. Well they're in for a shock: Californians are desperate for change, and I will work harder than you've ever seen, for everyone in our… pic.twitter.com/dkYS2ujC0u
READ MORE: The ‘Moment California Has Been Waiting For’—Trump Endorses Steve Hilton for Governor
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Trump's support will mean two things for this race. It will boost Hilton in the primaries, while giving the Democrat candidates, even those who are polling lower than expected, an opportunity to advance their own image by constantly talking about Trump and putting him down, while presumably using his endorsement as a net-negative for Hilton in the general election.
Some California Republicans, such as Amy Reichert, who has done great investigative journalism to help expose the fraud and corruption in the state, had this to say about Trump's endorsement:
"I love Trump, but I'm never running for office. In California, a Trump endorsement is the kiss of death if you actually want to win in a deep blue, Trump-hating state. That's just the truth."
I love Trump, but I’m never running for office.
— Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) April 6, 2026
In California, a Trump endorsement is the kiss of death if you actually want to win in a deep blue, Trump-hating state.
That’s just the truth. https://t.co/W9DRgtdEc0
It is true that a Trump endorsement in California or any blue state is not viewed favorably as it is in states like Florida or Tennessee, for example. However, in the jungle primary, there will be more energy around the Trump-endorsed candidate in contrast to the other non-Trump-endorsed GOP candidates. Having said that, most Californians, especially in Southern California, know of Bianco because he has been in the spotlight at times.
One of those times was when he sarcastically said he would be "changing teams" and explained that for the past three decades, he had been tough on crime, wanting to put criminals behind bars, and not release them early, as most of the Democrat legislature and Gov. Newsom wanted. He said he thought it was time to put a "felon" in the White House, endorsing Trump.
California Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco says is he changing teams and will be voting for Trump:
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 1, 2024
"I think it's time we put a felon in the White House. Trump 2024 baby!"
pic.twitter.com/ikvbpUYJi8
Bianco posted a video on social media in response to Trump endorsing Hilton:
"President Trump made his endorsement. That's his decision, but this race is about the future of California, not any one endorsement. ... I've spent 33 years fighting for Californians regardless of political party. This fight has never been about Democrats personally; it's fighting to change a failed progressive Democrat agenda that made us less safe and our lives more expensive. ... Today, I have been singled out as the only candidate in this race fighting for every Californian. Now more than ever, there is a sheriff counting on a posse to help save us. Saddle up."
In a state weak on crime, I've built the model in protecting the community.
— Sheriff Chad Bianco (@ChadBianco) April 6, 2026
When Gavin Newsom shut down our state, I stood in his way.
It's going to take strength, leadership, and an ability to get things done to save our state. I'm the only one who can do it.
Join me. pic.twitter.com/Aa3OS4aMQe
No matter which way you look at it, Hilton or Bianco would be huge upgrades over Newsom, as well as the entire Democrat field currently vying for the governor's mansion. The chances of both of them making it to the November election are slim, assuming more Democrats drop out before the June 2 primary and coalesce behind one or two candidates - although the ballots are already being printed since they will be mailed in just a few weeks, and that might confuse a few on the Democrat side. But the best-case scenario would be a general election between Hilton and Bianco.
The Trump endorsement may give Hilton the edge in the primaries, but Bianco seems to have staunch supporters who could give him a fighting chance of reaching the top two, especially if no other Democrat drops out of the race.
Election month in California begins in early May, culminating in the June 2nd Election Day.
