Trump Endorses Steve Hilton for California Governor

President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Steve Hilton for California governor on Sunday via a post on Truth Social, praising the candidate as a "truly fine man" capable of reversing what Trump described as the state's decline under Democratic leadership. The endorsement, issued ahead of the June 2 primary election, highlights the unusually competitive race to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom in the nation's most populous state.

California's top-two primary system requires all candidates to compete on a single ballot, with the two highest vote-getters advancing to the November general election regardless of party affiliation. The field includes about 10 major contenders, with eight Democrats fragmenting their support and two Republicans, Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, polling strongly. Recent surveys of likely voters show Hilton and Bianco each at around 14 percent, while leading Democrats—Rep. Eric Swalwell at 12 percent, billionaire Tom Steyer at 11 percent, and former Rep. Katie Porter at 7 percent—trail behind, with the rest below 5 percent and about a quarter of voters undecided.

Trump's support could consolidate Republican voters behind Hilton,...