Trump Endorses Hilton in California Governor Race

0:00It's April 6th. You're listening to Durham News Today, AI Power Local News. I'm Corey, with the story. President Trump dropped a big endorsement in California's wide open governor race, backing Republican Steve Hilton. He's known the conservative commentator for years, and says Hilton can fix the state's sky-high taxes and overall mess. Trump posted it on Truth Social Late Sunday, pushing for federal help alongside a strong leader like Hilton to make California great again. This shakes up a massive field with over 50 candidates, including eight solid Democrats. California's top two primary system lests the top two vote-gitters advance to November, no matter their party. That quirk has Democrats nervous about facing two Republicans, like Hilton and rival Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. Poles from early February show a tight pack-up top, Bianco and Hilton neck-and-neck with Democrats, Eric Swalwell, Katie Porter and billionaire Tom, Steyer, everyone else trails far behind.

1:01Republicans haven't snagged a statewide win here in 20 years, and registered Democrats outnumber them nearly two to one. Hilton fired back with a thank you statement, vowing to boost jobs and slash the brutal cost of living. He says together, they can flip the script on California's struggles. Trump's move rallies conservative voters, likely pulling more support to Hilton and dodging that all GOP showdown, Dem's fear, as the primary heats up.