The California Republican Party did not endorse any candidate in the upcoming gubernatorial race after neither Steve Hilton nor Chad Bianco secured the required 60% delegate support at the state convention on Sunday. Hilton, a former Fox News host and Trump-endorsed candidate, received 442 delegate votes, while Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco garnered 496 votes. Seventy-five delegates opted not to endorse either candidate.
The November election will determine the successor to Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited and cannot run again in 2026. Under California’s nonpartisan primary system, the top two vote-getters in the primary will advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. This makes it critical for Republicans to consolidate support behind a single candidate to secure a place on the general election ballot.
Hilton, who has positioned himself as a proponent of 'positive populism,' won Trump’s endorsement last week. In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Hilton as a 'truly fine man' and signaled that the administration would work closely with Hilton to make California 'better than ever before.' Hilton and Bianco both expressed satisfaction with their delegate support, with Hilton emphasizing the significance of Trump’s endorsement in the primary.
The Republican contest is unfolding in a crowded field of more than 50 candidates, including several well-known Democrats. While no dominant frontrunner has emerged, the party’s failure to unite behind a single candidate highlights divisions within the GOP and raises questions about the political strength of Trump’s endorsement ahead of the 2026 elections.
Meanwhile, the California Republican Party celebrated the implosion of Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-Dublin) campaign due to allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. The party did not endorse a candidate for governor, but delegates and leaders expressed optimism about the GOP’s chances in the upcoming election.