Steve Hilton runs in California GOP primary

Steve Hilton was on California’s June 2, 2026 primary ballot for governor as one of the Republican candidates seeking to advance in the state’s top-two system. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber’s office said all candidates for voter-nominated offices appear on the same primary ballot, regardless of party, and the two highest vote-getters move on to the Nov. 3 general election. (sos.ca.gov) (stevehiltonforgovernor.com) Hilton, a former television commentator who launched his campaign in January, has built his candidacy around a cost-of-living message. His campaign site says he is running to “end one party rule” and has emphasized taxes, energy prices and housing affordability. (media.sos.ca.gov) ### How does California’s primary work for a Republican candidate like Steve Hilton? California uses a voter-nominated, top-two primary for governor rather than separate party primaries. Shirley Weber’s office said every candidate appears on the same ballot and the top two finishers, regardless of party preference, advance to the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. (sos.ca.gov) The certified candidate list published by the secretary of state shows Hilton filed as a Republican candidate for governor alongside a large field that includes Democrats, Republicans, independents and minor-party candidates. (stevehiltonforgovernor.com) That means Hilton was competing not just against Republicans but against the full statewide field for one of two spots in November. ### What exactly did Hilton run on? Hilton’s campaign has put energy and tax prices at the center of its pitch. His official campaign site says California has the nation’s highest gas and electricity prices and promises to reduce taxes for workers while rolling back what he calls excessive regulation. (sos.ca.gov) A campaign policy page says Hilton wants to bring gasoline down to $3 a gallon through changes to California energy regulation, refinery policy and fuel rules. Another campaign page says he would cut electricity bills by ending wind and solar mandates and subsidies that he argues are raising household costs. ### When did Hilton formally enter the race? (elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov) January 2, 2026 was the date Hilton formally kicked off his campaign, according to his campaign website. The launch included a campaign video, a statewide town hall tour and a slogan to “make California Golden Again.” (stevehiltonforgovernor.com) His campaign site presents Hilton as a conservative Republican candidate and frames the race as a challenge to long-running Democratic control in Sacramento. The site says his platform includes lower taxes, support for homeownership and changes to state energy policy. ### Where can voters find results from Tuesday’s vote? (stevehiltonforgovernor.com) The California Secretary of State has a dedicated June 2, 2026 primary results page with media files, JSON feeds, CSV files and county reporting updates. The elections page also says vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked no later than June 2. June 2 is Election Day across California, but final tallies can take longer as counties process remaining ballots and update reporting status. (stevehiltonforgovernor.com) The secretary of state’s office has directed voters and media to the statewide results portal for contest returns and county-by-county updates. ### What happens after the primary night count? Nov. 3, 2026 is the date of California’s general election for governor. (stevehiltonforgovernor.com) Under the state’s rules, the two candidates with the most votes in the June 2 primary will move on, regardless of party label. (media.sos.ca.gov) County elections officials will continue reporting results to the secretary of state after polls close, and the statewide results page is the public clearinghouse for those updates. Hilton’s next milestone is straightforward: finish in the top two and secure a place on the November ballot. (sos.ca.gov) (media.sos.ca.gov)