SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — Not even 24 hours after California’s governor’s race was called, Republican Steve Hilton began campaigning Wednesday, making a stop with San Jose’s Vietnamese community as he pivots to a general election fight in a heavily Democratic state.
With 88% of the expected vote in, ABC News projected Hilton’s advancement on Tuesday afternoon.
“Change is coming to California,” Hilton told a cheering crowd.
Hilton openly acknowledged the political headwinds he faces as he seeks to become the state’s first Republican governor in 16 years.
“I’m very aware that it’s been a long time since we’ve had a Republican governor. And, we got to get people back into the habit of voting for positive change in the state,” he said. “This campaign is actually not going to be about Democrat or Republican. It’s about common sense, positive, practical things to make life easier, more affordable for Californians.”
RELATED: Republican Steve Hilton advances to CA governor runoff, will face Xavier Becerra in November
His Democratic opponent, Xavier Becerra, sharply contrasted their visions in a statement after Hilton advanced.
“This November, voters will choose between a governor who will fight for that future and one who would hand Sacramento to Donald Trump,” Becerra wrote.
Hilton pushed back when asked about the criticism.
“Xavier Becerra has nothing else to say other than recite the words Trump and MAGA like some cult member,” he said.
Hilton, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, is already drawing support from MAGA-aligned voters — a dynamic that could energize Republicans but pose challenges in a statewide race.
GOVERNOR’S RACE: Republican Steve Hilton pitches affordability, ‘change’ to win over non-red voters
Republican political strategist Tim Rosales said the campaign will need to win over voters beyond its base.
“I think that that’s something that the Hilton campaign’s probably thought about for a long time and understood. And, you know, the challenge is, is that you’ve got to get voters to look beyond that. You’ve got to find those Democrats and independents who are willing to take a chance on a Republican,” Rosales said.
Still, Rosales said there is a potential opening with some voters, which Hilton will need to prioritize outside of the Republican base.
“If you’re the Hilton campaign, everything you’re doing from this point forward is you’re talking to independents,” he said. “And then you have to identify those movable Democrats who are willing to give you a chance.”
A May poll from the Public Policy Institute of California underscores both opportunity and risk for Hilton. The survey found 57% of Californians say the state is headed in the wrong direction, while just 24% approve of Trump.
With the primary now behind him, Hilton’s campaign enters a critical phase — one focused on persuading a broader electorate ahead of November.
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