California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has initiated a vigorous challenge of former Vice President Kamala Harris’s potential candidacy for the position of Governor, following reports suggesting she is seriously considering stepping into the role as the successor to Governor Gavin Newsom.
“The focus should always remain on the state and its needs, not personal ambitions,” Hilton stated emphatically. He referenced a recent report from Politico detailing Harris’s interest in becoming the nation’s first Black female governor. “It’s never about ‘us’; it’s invariably about her.”
“This isn’t some consolation prize for a Washington machine, repeatedly rejected and unable to articulate a coherent thought,” Hilton declared. He criticized Harris, asserting she should not be considered for the position based on identity alone, but rather on demonstrated competence and ability. “Leading California—the most significant state within the world’s leading nation—demands more than simply fulfilling an aspirational narrative.”
Hilton formally launched his campaign in Huntington Beach earlier this week, highlighting a growing list of endorsements that include Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Representative Kevin Kiley, and actor Jon Voight. Recent polling data from the Sacramento Bee indicates that nearly half of California’s likely voters are open to supporting a Republican for governor.
According to reports, Harris is contemplating a run after her unsuccessful bid for the presidency against current President Donald Trump in November. Should she enter the race, she is widely anticipated to quickly establish herself as the frontrunner within the Democratic party. Hilton compared Harris’s potential entry to “a marine layer threatening to obscure the sun,” suggesting a formidable opponent.
“Bring it on, Kamala,” Hilton challenged the crowd during his address, stating unequivocally that he would defeat her if she decided to pursue the governorship. California’s unique primary system – a ‘jungle primary’ – increases the possibility of candidates from the same political party vying for the nomination in the general election.
The Democratic field is currently populated by several contenders, including former Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, Representative Katie Porter, and Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis. On the Republican side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is seeking to secure the nomination for California’s top office.
A Republican governor would likely face a continued Democratic majority in the state legislature. Newsom secured re-election by a substantial margin over Brian Dahle in 2022 and successfully weathered a recall attempt in 2021, demonstrating the Democrats’ established power within the state.
California continues to grapple with significant challenges, including ongoing recovery efforts following recent wildfires in Los Angeles, persistent concerns about affordability driving residents out of state, and potential disruptions to energy production due to refinery closures.
Fox News Digital contacted Harris’s office for comment on Hilton’s remarks.
