Republican Hilton tells Californians they can hate Trump but still vote for him in governor's race

Summary by The San Francisco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Michael R. Blood | The Associated Press, NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) · July 23, 2026 · 5 min read

Republican Steve Hilton launched his general election campaign for California governor Wednesday with a gambit to win over left-leaning voters who dominate the state: Even if they loathe President Donald Trump, he said, they should consider voting for him. During an event in Los Angeles, against ...

Why this matters in The San Francisco

In a state where Democrats hold a significant majority, Hilton's strategy to distance himself from Trump while still maintaining the endorsement is a calculated risk. By acknowledging the widespread dislike of Trump in California, Hilton is attempting to appeal to moderate voters who may be dissatisfied with the current state of affairs. The promises to reduce gasoline prices, cut utility bills, and eliminate state income taxes on the first $150,000 in earnings are clearly aimed at addressing the concerns of Californians struggling with the high cost of living. However, Hilton's ability to deliver on these promises will be closely scrutinized, particularly given the state's complex budget and regulatory landscape. As the campaign unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Hilton navigates the delicate balance between appealing to Trump supporters and winning over voters who are skeptical of the president's policies.

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Category: government · Published: July 23, 2026 · Source: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) · Reading time: 5 min

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Summary created by	The San Francisco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Michael R. Blood \| The Associated Press, NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC)
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 23, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 23, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Republican Hilton tells Californians they can hate Trump but still vote for him in governor's race

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