Formet prominent Fox News host Steve Hilton announced this week that he was entering the California gubernatorial race, looking to become Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) successor.
In a video announcement posted to the social platform X, Hilton highlighted his past, growing up in London and eventually moving to California and becoming a U.S. citizen.
It’s time to make California Golden Again ☀️ pic.twitter.com/unpY2f5Hv4
— Steve Hilton For Governor (@SteveHiltonShow) April 21, 2025
Hilton, a businessman, author and former TV anchor criticized the Democratic leaders who have long held power in the western blue state and argued it was time for change.
“This is not just any other state. California means to America what America means to the world,” Hilton said.
“Let’s make California the land of opportunity again. Great jobs, great homes, great kids.”
“There’s only one way to do that,” he later said. “We’ve got to end the one-party rule that got us into this mess. It’s time to end the years of Democrat failure.”
His video showed photos of Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and former Vice President Kamala Harris, who also served as California attorney general.
Hilton is the second prominent Republican to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race, following Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.
Bianco and Hilton face a challenge, though, as California has not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2006 reelection.