California GOP Race Takes a Twist
Last week, President Donald Trump voiced his support for Republican Steve Hilton as the next governor of California. However, state Republicans seem to have a different take on the matter.
In a surprising move, the California Republican Party chose not to endorse any gubernatorial candidate during their meeting on Sunday, effectively dismissing Trump’s endorsement.
While Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco garnered the most votes, he still fell short of the 60% threshold for an official endorsement, ending up with 49% support, while Hilton received 44%.
Bianco shrugged off the undecided outcome, calling it a win, as he shared with KCRA: “It wasn’t supposed to be that close. With the energy in this room, it seemed obvious it wouldn’t be tight, but it was. We’re very confident we can take the governor’s office come January.”
On the other hand, Hilton boasts Trump’s backing and continues to lead in polls, expressing his thoughts on social media: “Now is the time to rally behind the candidate with significant support, President Trump’s!” In recent polling, Hilton’s numbers hover between 16-22% among eligible voters, while Bianco typically falls between 10-14%.
Interestingly, many had anticipated that Trump’s support would translate into a stronger backing for Hilton among Republicans, but the results from Sunday have created uncertainty about that narrative.
This situation could potentially lead to a reality where the Democratic Party’s concerns materialize. Given the crowded Democratic field, it’s likely that Hilton and Bianco will end up with the majority of votes in the June primary, possibly shutting Democrats out of the general election.
It’s worth noting that Hilton and Bianco aren’t holding back from criticizing each other. Bianco has stirred controversy by questioning the speed at which Hilton obtained his citizenship and has even taken aim at Trump’s support.
“For too long, politicians and insiders from Sacramento to Washington have tried to choose leaders for us,” Bianco stated on social media. “That’s not leadership. That’s coronation.”
In response, Hilton has criticized Bianco’s low standing in public opinion and has pointed out flaws in the sheriff’s policies, including his approach to immigration inspections.
