Trump-backed Republican Steve Hilton expressed optimism on Tuesday as California Republicans headed into a critical election night, hoping to avoid being completely shut out of the state’s gubernatorial race under California’s controversial "jungle primary" system.
Hilton, one of the leading Republican candidates seeking to become California’s next governor, said he was feeling confident about the outcome despite growing concerns among conservatives that the state’s election structure could once again work against Republican voters.
The former political commentator is locked in a competitive race with fellow Republican Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff. Both candidates have been battling for support in a state where Republicans have faced significant challenges in recent statewide elections.
Hilton’s campaign received a major boost when President Donald Trump officially endorsed him. Following the endorsement, Hilton moved ahead of Bianco and established himself as the leading Republican contender in the race. As election day approached, however, attention shifted toward the possibility that two Democratic candidates could finish ahead of both Republicans, potentially preventing any Republican from appearing on the final general-election ballot.
Under California’s "jungle primary" system, all candidates compete on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation, and only the top two vote-getters advance to the general election. Critics have long argued that the system can effectively silence millions of Republican voters in a heavily Democratic state by creating scenarios where two candidates from the same party advance while others are eliminated.
Hilton nevertheless remained upbeat, signaling confidence that Republican voters would turn out in sufficient numbers to secure a place in the next stage of the race. The Trump endorsement has energized many conservative voters who see Hilton as a candidate capable of challenging California’s political establishment and offering a different vision for the state’s future.
For Republicans, the stakes could not be higher. Securing a spot on the general-election ballot would not only keep the party competitive in one of the nation’s largest states but would also demonstrate that conservative ideas continue to resonate with voters despite years of Democratic dominance.
As ballots are counted, Republicans across California are watching closely and hoping that Tuesday night marks the beginning of a stronger conservative comeback in the Golden State. With growing enthusiasm among grassroots supporters and President Trump’s backing behind Hilton, many are entering the evening with a sense of optimism and anticipation.
