CA-GOV: Trump endorses Steve Hilton in California governor's race

[LetMyPeopleVote]

5. "How Trump's Endorsement in California Could Backfire Against Republicans"

Both of the two republicans in this jungle primary were on track to be the only two candidates on the ballot in November because there are so many good Democrats competing for the Democratic vote. trump's endorsement is going to hurt the chances of the GOP winning this race

“How Trump’s Endorsement in California Could Backfire Against Republicans” electionlawblog.org?p=155295

— Rick Hasen (@rickhasen.bsky.social) 2026-04-07T14:56:32.223Z

https://electionlawblog.org/?p=155295

NYT:

For months, California Democrats have worried about a doomsday scenario of two Republicans shutting them out of the governor’s race. President Trump, in one social media post, may have solved their problem.

By endorsing Steve Hilton in California’s June primary, Mr. Trump likely drove Republican voters toward one candidate and reduced the likelihood that their party will take both spots in the general election. That would help Democrats ensure they advance a candidate under the state’s nonpartisan primary system.

The race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, who cannot run again because of term limits, has been unusually messy this year. The large field includes eight prominent Democrats and two well-known Republicans.

Mr. Hilton has been running neck and neck with fellow Republican Chad Bianco, the sheriff of Riverside County, and the Democratic vote has been so fractured that no clear front-runner has emerged. Despite California being a deep blue state, several polls showed the two Republicans as the top two candidates, a scenario that had increasingly panicked Democrats…