Steve Hilton, a prominent political figure and former Fox News host, has officially announced his candidacy for governor of California. The announcement is a small but major milestone in his progressive political journey. He’s prepared to face-off against the state’s one-party Democratic leadership, a political establishment that he has hellaciously criticized in print and in public.
From 2017 until 2023, Hilton was the host of “The Next Revolution” on Fox News. Today, he further enriches the stories and ideas emanating from the network, bringing perspective from his unique and continental experience. He is a Brit and very steeped in the Conservative Party. He is known for having been an adviser to the former Prime Minister David Cameron. Union under attack Hilton has previously praised neoliberal icon Margaret Thatcher, claiming to take his governing style and economic policies directly from her.
After winning the election in 2012, Hilton moved to California where he started the tech company Crowdpac and taught at Stanford University. His time spent in elected office as well as at the university has deeply influenced his perspectives on public governance and policy.
In one campaign video, Hilton described his determination to attack “decades of Democrat disaster.” He quoted then-Vice President Kamala Harris in doing so to drive home his message. Through these efforts, he hopes to build political support among voters united by their alarm over the ideological and antidemocratic turn of the current administration.
“It’s time to end the years of Democrat failure,” – Steve Hilton
From this distance, Hilton’s political platform seems custom designed to appeal to the base of conservative voters. And he is very, very pro-Trump—of the President Donald variety. This support would allow him to make new inroads among other establishment-aligned Republican figures while he continues trying to gain traction in the GOP’s gubernatorial primary.
Beyond his political aspirations, Hilton has written a book denouncing the failures of California’s Democrats in power. His criticisms illuminate the issues that he sees as most important to the state’s long-term success, particularly with regard to economic development and public safety.
It’s an exciting time as Hilton is opening a new chapter in his career. His transition into California politics is a full realization of that blend between his British heritage and American dreams. With his deep experience in media and politics, his candidacy adds a wild card to the gubernatorial contest. Rest assured that many observers—including us—will be watching closely to see how he manages its complexities.
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