How Trump’s Endorsement in California Could Backfire Against Republicans

Key Points:

• President Trump endorsed Republican candidate Steve Hilton in California’s June primary, potentially consolidating Republican votes and reducing the chance of two Republicans advancing to the general election under the state's nonpartisan primary system.
• The endorsement may help Democrats avoid a scenario where two Republicans dominate the governor’s race, which has been a major concern given the fractured Democratic field and the strong showing of the two Republicans in polls.
• The race to replace term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom features eight prominent Democrats and two well-known Republicans, with no clear Democratic front-runner emerging due to vote splitting.
• Trump's late entry into the race surprised some Republicans, as it disrupts the previously balanced competition between Hilton and fellow Republican Chad Bianco, potentially tipping the scales in Hilton’s favor.
• Trump praised Hilton on social media, criticizing California’s Democratic leadership and expressing willingness to collaborate with Hilton to improve the state.