Steve Hilton, a Republican and Silicon Valley resident, is running for governor of California in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
He faces Democrat Xavier Becerra, according to Ballotpedia.
Hilton advanced from the June 2 primary. His campaign focuses on reducing living costs, changing public education and cutting state government spending.
Surround Sound News sent its candidate questionnaire to Hilton’s campaign on Sept. 24 and had not received a response as of Thursday, Oct. 8. This profile draws on his campaign website, campaign statements reproduced by Ballotpedia and other sources identified below.
Candidate information
- Party: Republican
- Birthplace: London, England
- Residence: Silicon Valley, California
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from Oxford University, according to Ballotpedia
- Family background: His campaign website describes him as the son of Hungarian immigrants who fled communism.
Experience and public service
Hilton served as director of strategy for British Prime Minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2012 and hosted “The Next Revolution” on Fox News from 2017 to 2023, according to Ballotpedia.
His campaign biography also describes his work teaching at Stanford, building businesses and launching the policy organization Golden Together. Stanford announced his appointment as a visiting scholar at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies in 2012.
On the issues
Taxes and budget: Hilton’s campaign plan proposes eliminating state income tax on the first $150,000 of income and abolishing the annual $800 small-business tax. In an Oct. 6 interview with Axios, he proposed an 8% flat state income tax rate on income above $150,000.
His campaign also calls for reducing government spending and regulation. In June, CapRadio/CalMatters reported that he expected to offset tax reductions by cutting approximately one-third of state spending.
Housing: His policy archive includes a proposal to cap government fees and regulatory costs on new homes at $50,000. His campaign plan also promises starter homes for young families.
In earlier campaign statements reproduced by Ballotpedia, Hilton criticized California Environmental Quality Act lawsuits and restrictions imposed by agencies including the Coastal Commission and California Air Resources Board.
Energy and environment: Hilton’s campaign plan promises $3-a-gallon gas and a 50% reduction in utility bills. His policy archive includes proposals to end wind and solar farm mandates and subsidies and change the state’s approach to wildfire prevention.
These are campaign proposals, rather than guaranteed outcomes.
Criminal justice: In campaign material reproduced by Ballotpedia, Hilton states: “As governor, I will ensure our brave law enforcement officers are fully supported in enforcing the law.”
His police proposal calls for expanding the California Highway Patrol toward 10,000 sworn officers and increasing its annual budget to $4 billion. He proposes paying for the expansion by reducing administrative state staffing.
Education: His campaign plan calls for every student to read by third grade and for skills training and career pathways in every school.
Earlier campaign statements reproduced by Ballotpedia also call for expanding charter schools, introducing school choice over time and strengthening parents’ ability to seek changes at poorly performing schools.
Endorsements
Hilton’s supporters include President Donald Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy, Rep. Tom McClintock and Rep. Kevin Kiley, according to CapRadio/CalMatters and State Affairs. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association Political Action Committee also endorses him.
