GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton spoke exclusively to The California Post on a wide range of topics, just as a newEmerson College poll,released Wednesday, puts him in the lead, with17% of voters supporting his campaign for California governor.
In an exclusive conversation with The Post, the former Fox News commentator touched on a range of subjects including his GOP rival, Democratic “one-party rule,” and his “very different” campaign style.
Hilton remains hopeful as he looks to qualify in the June primary and advance to the November general election to replaceoutgoing governor Gavin Newsom.
“I’m very encouraged that we’re leading the race. It reflects, I think, this really strong desire for change in California,” he told The Post. “I’m very confident that we’ll be able to unite the Republican Party behind my campaign and then win in November.”
Among the 1,000 likely voters surveyed by Emerson, Hilton andRiverside County Sheriff Chad Biancosplit the Republican base, with the sheriff trailing by just one point.
“There’s a real danger that if Chad Bianco continues to act as a spoiler, we could end up with two Democrats in the top two under this system,” Hilton said. “That would be an absolute disaster for California because it would instantly remove the chance for change. So it’s very important that we unite behind one Republican candidate.”
The British-American candidate urged Bianco to drop out and “unite the Republican Party behind my campaign.”
“This poll shows that I’m the leading candidate,” Hilton said, noting he is ahead by three points — the same as the margin of error. “I think it’s very important that we unite right now and focus on what California needs, which is a strong, positive Republican alternative.”
The Post has reached out to Bianco’s campaign for comment.
Hilton, 56, also had strong words forDemocratic Rep. Eric Swalwellwho, according to the poll, was tied with Bianco in second place and is the leading Democrat in the gubernatorial race.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
