Steve Hilton admits Trump negativity sank run for California governor, vows to keep fighting

Steve Hilton said there is “no question” that anger at President Trump helped sink his campaign for California governor along with Republicans across the country — but the former Fox News host isn’t done fighting.Hilton said he would consider another run for office after losing to Democrat Xavier Becerra, promising to keep pushing for relief from California’s high costs.Becerra had 5,268,634 votes (64.4%) to Hilton’s 2,917,832 votes (35.6%), according to results reported Thursday morning.Ballots were still being counted following a decisive victory that extended Democrats’ 16-year hold on the governor’s office.

The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.Please provide a valid email.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story “I’m in this for the long term, whether that is as a candidate, whether that is a leader, a policymaker, maybe all of those things,” Hilton said.“Nothing is off the table.”Asked specifically about another gubernatorial campaign, Hilton said: “I certainly wouldn’t rule it out.”The Republican entrepreneur and former adviser to UK Prime Minister David Cameron described his first campaign as something of a prototype.Hilton acknowledged the difficulty of breaking through a campaign dominated by national politics, recounting a conversation with a man whose Mexican immigrant family and friends were preoccupied with an ICE Halloween video before the election.“That ICE Halloween video, I’ve got to tell you, is one of the most disgusting and dehumanizing things I’ve ever seen put out by any government anywhere,” Hilton said.He nevertheless rejected suggestions that reports of voting problems cast doubt on his defeat.“I don’t think there’s any reason to question the outcome based on stories like that,” he said.Hilton described his role as the “loyal opposition,” pressing Becerra to...