Steve Hilton Leads in California Gubernatorial Race
Steve Hilton is currently the front-runner among Republican candidates for governor of California, maybe due to a controversial action taken by his closest competitor during the Black Lives Matter protests.
The former Fox News personality has a substantial lead over Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco in the race, with a recent poll showing Hilton at 42% compared to Bianco’s 33% in the Republican primary.
This poll follows the first televised gubernatorial debate in San Francisco last week, where Hilton critiqued Bianco by referencing footage of the sheriff kneeling before BLM protesters back in 2020.
Bianco knelt, with his fellow deputies following suit reluctantly.
What might worry Bianco’s team is the public’s reaction to his kneeling during those protests. “Leaders on this issue must work with us to make change,” Bianco stated as he knelt. “And if this is the beginning, this is the beginning.”
According to the poll, 66% of respondents found the video of Bianco either very or somewhat concerning, indicating that it could have significant repercussions for his campaign.
Polls indicate both Hilton and Bianco are performing well in a crowded candidate field that includes notable Democrats such as Eric Swalwell, former Congresswoman Katie Porter, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
Only the top two candidates, irrespective of party affiliation, will progress from the primary election on June 2.
Hilton expressed in an interview that he anticipates Mahan receiving a substantial financial boost from the tech industry, while Swalwell and Porter will likely vie for support from organized labor.
“It’s crucial that we rally behind one Republican candidate to avoid the risk of being excluded,” Hilton remarked.
Bianco’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
The online poll sampled 514 Republicans and those likely to lean Republican, featuring a margin of error of plus or minus 4.6 percentage points.
Hilton articulated that he believes many of California’s issues, including homelessness, crime, and the high cost of living, stem from what he describes as Democratic “one-party rule.”
However, he also directs considerable focus on Bianco, a fellow conservative, arguing that the possibility of two Republicans advancing in the June primary is nearly impossible. “Does anyone really believe the Democratic Party would allow two Republicans in the general election?” he questioned.
“We need to take this seriously. If we aren’t cautious, we risk missing the chance to create change in California.”
