Former Fox News host Steve Hilton is reportedly considering a run for California governor in 2026.
A spokesperson confirmed to KCRA 3 that Hilton is traveling across the state and increasing his public appearances.
The British and American political commentator served as a policy adviser to former UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
Former Fox News Host Steve Hilton Reportedly Mulling Over a Run For CA Governor.
GOP leaders confirm a possible run for Hilton.@CaliforniaGlobe https://t.co/KEQnLJFYLG pic.twitter.com/LjV3nBV9f9
— California Globe (@CaliforniaGlobe) August 27, 2024
From POLITICO:
While Hilton and his team did not comment when approached for this story, several prominent political figures in the state conveyed that the Silicon Valley entrepreneur, who has been increasing his public appearances and focus on California public policy, is already deep in discussions about a possible run as a Republican.
“He is thinking very seriously about running for governor and he is doing it in a very organized way,” said Jim Brulte, the former California Republican Party chair and GOP leader of the state Senate. “I know he’s talking to a lot of the right people because I have heard from a lot of the right people that he’s talking to them.”
Hilton’s candidacy would amount to a major test of voters’ appetites to challenge Democratic dogma and conventional wisdom in one of the nation’s biggest, bluest states. It also could help resolve whether deteriorating conditions on the ground — pockets of high crime, homelessness and soaring cost of living — will precipitate a fulsome conversation about alternative leadership that hasn’t happened in decades.
Word of Hilton’s interest has already piqued the curiosity of leaders in Silicon Valley, including figures pining for a political disruptor. In an interview, Chamath Palihapitiya, the billionaire tech venture capitalist who has increasingly waded into national and state politics, said Hilton’s emergence could jumpstart conversations around a range of issues plaguing California.
New: Steve Hilton, the former Fox News host and policy adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, is seriously considering a run to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2026, per three people in close touch with him.https://t.co/g4jlHc0Pdu pic.twitter.com/ikJ3Q7XTlY
— Christopher Cadelago (@ccadelago) August 27, 2024
This is a million dollar home in Anaheim, California.
This is the result of Kamala Harris housing policies: the highest housing costs and lowest home ownership in America.
Her promise to solve our housing crisis is laughable. pic.twitter.com/r8o9UFNY2n
— steve hilton (@SteveHiltonx) August 23, 2024
“At the Convention Nancy Pelosi and Gavin Newsom smugly patted themselves on the back over what a great job they’ve done – but the Kamala Harris policy agenda has been a disaster in California, giving us the highest unemployment, highest poverty rate, and worst housing crisis. Republicans need to make sure the whole country knows,” Hilton commented.
WATCH:
At the Convention Nancy Pelosi and Gavin Newsom smugly patted themselves on the back over what a great job they've done – but the Kamala Harris policy agenda has been a disaster in California, giving us the highest unemployment, highest poverty rate, and worst housing crisis.… pic.twitter.com/SmHFn33mtt
— steve hilton (@SteveHiltonx) August 26, 2024
KCRA 3 reports:
Because California limits the maximum amount of terms you can serve as governor to two, there will be a new person in office after the results of the 2026 midterm elections as Gov. Gavin Newsom finishes his second term.
Hilton joined Fox News Media in December 2016. He hosted “The Next Revolution” through May 2023 and still regularly offers political and tech industry commentary across FOX platforms.
He is also the co-founder of Crowdpac, an independent and non-partisan Silicon Valley political and data start-up.
Hilton served as director of strategy for Cameron from 2010 to 2012.
Others running for governor on the Democratic side include State Senate Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, former State Controller Betty Yee and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and California’s head of public instructions Tony Thurmond are also considering runs.