‘Of course I’m the underdog’: British ex-spin doctor Steve Hilton’s long-shot bid to turn California red

Steve Hilton, a British former political advisor who served in Downing Street and later became a host on Fox News, is mounting a gubernatorial campaign in California. Despite acknowledging his status as an "underdog" and facing a challenging political environment for Republican candidates in the state, Hilton is campaigning with an "unapologetically populist message." Opinion polls indicate he is trailing his Democratic rival, Xavier Becerra, by a substantial margin, reportedly "20 percentage points or more." This significant deficit underscores the uphill battle Hilton faces in a state that has consistently leaned Democratic in recent gubernatorial and presidential elections.

Hilton's background includes strategic work for the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom, where he was instrumental in shaping messaging and campaign tactics. His subsequent career in American media, particularly his role as a host on Fox News, has provided him with a platform and a distinct public persona. This dual experience in British political strategy and American conservative media likely informs his current approach to engaging California voters.

The campaign is taking place against a backdrop of significant voter concerns in California. A September 2026 PPIC Statewide Survey highlighted the "high cost of living" as the top issue for residents, a sentiment that Hilton's populist message likely aims to address. By positioning himself as an outsider challenging the established political order, Hilton is attempting to tap into voter dissatisfaction and appeal to a broader electorate beyond traditional Republican base.

Despite the unfavorable polling and the prevailing political climate, Hilton's determination to pursue the governorship is evident. His campaign strategy appears to be focused on connecting directly with the concerns of everyday Californians, aiming to cut through partisan divides with his populist appeal. The race for California governor is a high-stakes contest, and Hilton's campaign represents a notable effort to challenge the long-standing Democratic dominance in the state. The outcome will be closely watched as an indicator of the potential for populist messaging to resonate within a large, diverse, and politically complex electorate like California's.