How Trump’s endorsement of Steve Hilton impacts California governor’s race

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The two top polling Republicans in the California governor’s race – former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco – both support President Donald Trump.

But now only one of them, Hilton, has Trump’s endorsement ahead of the primary.

“Bianco, obviously, was straining for the Trump endorsement, or a dual endorsement would have made a lot of sense here,” GOP consultant Rob Stutzman said. “The gambit of the last couple weeks with him seizing ballots in Riverside County, I’m sure, was intended to get the attention of the president. But alas, the longer relationship that he’s had over the years with Hilton seems to have paid off for Steve.”

Trump weighing-in is unlikely to shrink the crowded field of eight Democrats splitting each other’s votes. Instead, it could help Hilton consolidate Republican support.

“I think it helps Hilton through the primary, probably, or could push him into the runoff, and it’s devastating for him in a runoff election,” UCLA professor of public policy Jim Newton said. “I mean, I think the paradox of this, right, is that it’s short-term helpful and long-term damaging.”

Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social that he has known and respected Hilton for years, calling him a “truly fine man.”

“People are fleeing [California], crime is increasing, and Taxes are the highest of any State in the Country, maybe the World. Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so! With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before! Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT. He will be a GREAT Governor and, importantly, WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!!!” Trump wrote.

Hilton said he’s “deeply honored” to have the president’s endorsement.

“As I said to the president last night after he made his endorsement public, I will fight like you’ve never seen before to save our beautiful state of California,” Hilton said in a video posted on social media.

Some political experts believe Trump’s decision to endorse guarantees the next California governor will be a Democrat because of how unpopular the president is in the state.

“Ironically, by endorsing a single candidate, Trump has probably let Democrats out of their big panic that two Republicans would finish in the top two,” Stutzman said. “So, you figure 38-40% of the votes in June are going to go to a Republican. If there’s two of them that can split that in that 19-20% range, and they kind of came in that close to one another, there’s a reasonable chance there’d be two Republicans in the runoff.

“Now what Trump has done is probably elevated Hilton to where he grows into maybe the mid-20s, that would drop Bianco into maybe the mid-teens and that gives a little more head room, actually quite a bit more head room, for a Democrat to be able to get into that second spot and make the runoff.”

Bianco responded to Trump’s endorsement in a video message posted Monday.

“President Trump made his endorsement. That’s his decision. But this race is about the future of California, not any one endorsement,” Bianco said.

“Today, I have been singled out as the only candidate in this race fighting for every Californian. Now more than ever there is a sheriff counting on a posse to help save us. Saddle up,” the sheriff added.

It’s worth noting that Trump’s endorsement in primaries across the country has not always been a boost for candidates. Some have been unsuccessful following the president weighing-in.