The day after President Trump endorsed former Fox News host Steve Hilton for California governor, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco expressed his disapproval on social media.
On Monday, Bianco posted, “For too long, politicians and insiders from Sacramento to Washington have tried to pick our leaders for us. That’s not leadership. That’s a coronation.”
Hilton is one of two major Republican candidates in the race to replace Governor Gavin Newsom. Bianco, the other leading GOP candidate, had previously shown support for Trump, even during the 2024 presidential election. Despite this, Bianco criticized the endorsement, seeing it as an imposition on local leadership choices.
Hilton’s campaign welcomed Trump’s endorsement, stating, “With President Trump’s full backing and federal support, we are going to take California back and make it better than ever before.” Some Republicans believe that Trump’s involvement could complicate the party’s strategy in the heavily Democratic state, where they hoped to advance two Republicans to the general election ballot under California’s “top-two” primary system.
The endorsement has sparked concerns among Democrats as well. California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks remarked that Trump’s decision wouldn’t hinder their efforts. However, with over 50 candidates in the race, including eight established Democrats, the possibility of a Republican-only runoff remains a concern.
A recent UC Berkeley poll showed Hilton and Bianco with 17% and 16% support, respectively, while Democratic candidates Eric Swalwell and Katie Porter both have 13%. The primary election on June 2 will determine which two candidates will appear on the general election ballot.
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