Steve Hilton, the British political strategist and former adviser to David Cameron, has announced his candidacy for governor of California. Hilton, who is married to former Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy, made the declaration in an exclusive interview with the BBC. He positions himself as a conservative outsider in a state dominated by the Democratic Party.
A source close to his campaign said Hilton will focus on homelessness, housing affordability, and public safety. His candidacy aligns him with Nigel Farage, the former UK Independence Party leader, with whom Hilton shares a vision of populist conservatism. Political analysts in Sacramento expressed scepticism, noting that California’s last Republican governor was Arnold Schwarzenegger, who left office in 2011.
Hilton faces an uphill battle in a state where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly two to one. His campaign will test whether populist messaging can break through in a progressive stronghold. The election is scheduled for 2026.
