Story perspectives

Trump-Backed Steve Hilton Leads California Governor Primary

6/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

Former Fox News host Steve Hilton leads the California gubernatorial primary.
California’s top-two primary advances the two vote-getters regardless of party.
Current tallies show Hilton at about 27 %, Xavier Becerra at roughly 26 %, and Tom Steyer near 20 % with 55 % of precincts reported.
U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Hilton, though analysts say Republicans face an uphill battle in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans two-to-one.

History

Historical Context

Pete Wilson’s 1994 re-election—won with 55 % of the vote amid the national Republican Revolution and his hard-line stance on Proposition 187—marked the first California governor race since 1974 in which the victor differed from the incumbent president’s party. That upset showed a well-funded Republican could break Democratic dominance, a precedent cited by Trump-backed outsider Steve Hilton in today’s primary.

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Story summary

Former Fox News host Steve Hilton leads the California gubernatorial primary.
California’s top-two primary advances the two vote-getters regardless of party.
Current tallies show Hilton at about 27 %, Xavier Becerra at roughly 26 %, and Tom Steyer near 20 % with 55 % of precincts reported.
U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Hilton, though analysts say Republicans face an uphill battle in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans two-to-one.

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