Politics > California

What Does Trump’s Endorsement Mean In California’s Gubernatorial Race?

Unfortunately, it may not mean that a Republican takes over the California governor’s mansion.

Arthur Schaper | April 8, 2026

On Easter evening 2026, President Trump endorsed British-born Fox News host Steve Hilton in the California Governor’s race.

Seems strange to issue an endorsement so late on a holiday, yet here we are, and I am convinced that this endorsement was a bad move.

Big mistake, Trump—YUUUGE!

Californians have been down this path before. In 2018, with Governor Jerry Brown termed out, Republicans had a (small) chance of taking the governor’s mansion. No incumbent, but the field wasn’t necessarily wide open. Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom was the heir apparent, and an array of Democrats, including a former state superintendent of schools, the former mayor of Los Angeles (who is running again, by the way), and the state treasurer (hometown resident from Torrance, CA!) John Chiang, all took their shot—and lost.

Two major Republicans ran, too: Assemblyman Travis Allen, who embraced the Trump-MAGA label, having defeated an Orange County establishment pick in 2012; and John Cox, a former Never Trumper who had lost every other race he ran for, a Cook County, Illinois native with lots of money.

Trump endorsed Cox, a big disappointment to the MAGA faithful in California. One of the tuned-in consultants later explained to me: “Trump’s endorsement for the (more establishment) pick has nothing to do with the governor’s race. It’s about the down ballot. This is about saving Republican congressional seats. This is about ensuring that Sacramento Democrats don’t get the supermajority!”

Well, Cox not only lost in 2018, but California Republicans lost seven congressional seats, including every seat in Orange County. On top of that, Democrats padded their state assembly margins with five more seats, plus two more GOP-to-Dem defections afterward. It was a bloodbath.

Trump’s........

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