GOP's best shot at California governor's office in decades mired in angry internal debate
Los Angeles Times • • nation
Key Points:
- The California Republican gubernatorial primary race has become increasingly contentious, particularly between leading candidates Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, as they compete for the party’s endorsement ahead of the 2026 election.
- Hilton, a conservative commentator and British immigrant, has criticized Bianco for being inconsistent on immigration and other issues, while Bianco has accused Hilton of being a political opportunist with a shifting ideological stance.
- Both candidates are polling as the top Republicans despite California’s Democratic majority, with their campaigns focusing on opposition to Democratic policies and promising reforms on issues like affordability, taxes, and public safety.
- President Trump’s recent endorsement of Hilton could significantly influence GOP voters, heightening the stakes as the June 2 primary approaches under California’s top-two primary system, which could result in two Republicans advancing to the general election.
- Party unity remains a concern among GOP voters, who worry that infighting could weaken their chances against a crowded field of Democratic candidates aiming to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom.
