Steve Hilton explores potential California gubernatorial run

Steve Hilton, a Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur and former Fox News host, is considering a California gubernatorial run, hoping to succeed Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2026, sources familiar with the matter told Politico.

Hilton is hyper-focused on policy and plans to gear it toward addressing the biggest issues impacting California, such as homelessness, high crime rates, the lack of affordable housing, the high cost of living, and education, according to individuals close to Hilton.

His intention to run as a Republican has aroused the curiosity of leaders in Silicon Valley, including those who want to see a political disruptor address the issues that have arisen as a result of years of failed progressive policies. However, Hilton securing the governorship will be challenging, as California has not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger won the recall in 2003.

"He is thinking very seriously about running for governor and he is doing it in a very organized way," said Jim Brulte, the former chair of the California Republican Party and GOP leader of the state Senate. "I know he's talking to a lot of the right people because I have heard from a lot of the right people that he's talking to them."

"He's focused on policy and my sense is his campaign would be a policy-driven agenda," Brulte continued. "He's a positive and optimistic guy."

Billionaire tech venture capitalist, Chamath Palihapitiya, said the emergence of Hilton could initiate discussions regarding a variety of issues that are currently affecting California.

"He is a no-BS person who cuts to the heart of issues no matter how uncomfortable the truth is," Palihapitiya told Politico, describing Hilton as "an extremely precise 'first principles' thinker.'"

"I think that that could be really refreshing at the right moment in California," he added.

Hilton, a British ex-pat who served as a policy adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, moved to California in 2012 and has been a US citizen since 2021.  He founded the tech startup Crowpac, teaches classes at Stanford University, and hosted the Fox News program "The Next Revolution" on Sunday nights until last year.
 

Hilton's candidacy would see whether voters are willing to challenge the blue state's Democratic policies and could also assist in determining whether the state's deteriorating conditions, which include pockets of high crime, homelessness, and a skyrocketing cost of living, will generate discussion about alternative leadership in the state.