Steve Hilton
British-born Fox News populist with a Trump endorsement and a housing pitch.
Official campaign site ↗Hilton frames the race as a chance for California to break with its 'failed elite consensus' — leading on housing deregulation, immigration enforcement, and what he calls 'positive populism.'
A former strategist for UK Prime Minister David Cameron who became a U.S. citizen in 2021, Hilton built a national profile hosting The Next Revolution on Fox News and now leads the Republican field with a Trump endorsement secured April 6, 2026. His campaign centers on a CEQA-gutting housing ballot initiative and an unusually granular policy book for a non-incumbent.
- +Only major Republican with a Trump endorsement
- +TV-ready and a fluent communicator
- +Most-developed policy book of any non-incumbent in the race
- −British accent and biography complicate retail politics in California
- −Trump endorsement is double-edged in a state Trump lost by 20+ points
- −Has never held elected office
Where Hilton stands on the eight issues
Housing & Cost of Living
Strongly supportsSignature issue. Most aggressive housing platform in the field — wants to bar private CEQA suits over housing, cap impact fees statewide, and create a state override for cities that fail to permit.
Homelessness
SupportsSupports clearing encampments and conservatorship expansion; favors ending what he calls 'permissive open-air drug markets.'
Climate & Environment
OpposesWants to repeal the cap-and-trade program, rein in CARB rulemaking, and reverse the 2035 internal-combustion-engine sales ban.
Healthcare
OpposesOpposes single-payer; would reverse the Newsom-era expansion of Medi-Cal coverage to undocumented adults and push price transparency reforms.
Education
SupportsSupports an expansion of charter authorization, education savings accounts, and parental-notification policies on school instruction.
Public Safety
Strongly supportsSupports increasing prosecutor and police staffing and rolling back remaining Prop 47-era thresholds.
Immigration
Strongly opposesPledges to end California's sanctuary policies and direct state agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
Economy & Taxes
SupportsWants to cut state income tax brackets, eliminate the corporate franchise tax floor, and audit state agencies for elimination.
