Trump backs Steve Hilton as two Republicans lead California primary
The June 2 top‑two primary now carries real risk of an all‑Republican November ballot in deep‑blue California if Democrats don’t consolidate. Trump’s endorsement could help Hilton consolidate GOP support and reshape who advances — raising stakes for turnout, redistricting fights and control of downstream races.
Apr 6, 2026, 4:58 AM EDT
Why it matters:
- The endorsement from former President Trump increases Steve Hilton’s profile and could consolidate Republican support ahead of the June 2 primary, raising the real possibility that two Republicans — not a Democrat — reach the November ballot.
Driving the news:
- Trump posted a full endorsement for Hilton on Truth Social; Hilton’s campaign thanked the former president and framed the backing as federal support for winning California. - The endorsement lands while Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco sit atop multiple recent polls, intensifying attention on whether Democrats’ crowded field will split their vote.
By the numbers:
- Polling snapshots put Hilton roughly in the mid‑teens (about 16–17%) and Bianco around the mid‑teens (about 14–16%), with top Democrats clustered a few points behind. - The California Democratic Party’s VOTER Index poll surveyed 2,000 likely voters with a margin of error of ±2.19 percentage points. - Hilton’s campaign reported about $6.3 million raised versus roughly $4.1 million for Bianco in state filings.
The tension:
- Eight major Democrats remain in the race, prompting party chair Rusty Hicks to urge low‑polling candidates to quit to avoid a vote split that could lock Democrats out of November. - Scheduling and inclusion controversies flared when USC canceled a gubernatorial debate after critics said the criteria excluded candidates of color, reducing organized opportunities for Democrats to coalesce. - Analysts warn the top‑two system magnifies the risk that a fragmented majority can be overtaken by a disciplined minority if one party runs many candidates.
Reality check:
- California remains a heavily Democratic state in general elections (roughly a 60/40 Democratic advantage), and a single Democrat in the November contest would still be heavily favored to win statewide. - Even if a Republican wins the governor’s mansion, a GOP governor would face a Democratic supermajority in the state legislature, limiting unilateral action.
The bottom line:
- Trump’s endorsement makes Hilton likelier to consolidate Republican voters and raises the urgency for Democrats to coalesce before June 2 or risk an unprecedented GOP‑only November matchup in California.