Steve Hilton advances; now the real race begins

Congratulations to the dynamic Steve Hilton for advancing to the general election in November.

The GOP candidate for governor, whom we endorsed in the primary, ran a common-sense primary campaign that appealed to millions of Californians. 

He showed energy, vision and passion for change –– the opposite of Xavier Becerra, the Democrat he’ll face in the fall.

The Hilton-Becerra matchup gives California voters the contest they deserve: a choice between change and the status quo. 

The alternative, a race between the milquetoast Becerra and far-left billionaire Tom Steyer, would have closed the door to change this election cycle.

Hilton, of course, will need to make the case for change in a compelling, articulate, visionary way. 

He’ll need to appeal not just to Republicans, who are about 25% of the state electorate, but to independents and Democrats who concede the state’s poor choices to date on issues ranging from affordability to climate to homelessness. 

He’ll need to transcend the head of his own national party, treading a careful path that alienates neither the president nor those in California who suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Becerra is unremarkable: a career politician with little to show for it and a striking lack of support from most of those he worked with in the Biden administration.

As health secretary, Becerra lost track of tens of thousands of migrant children and blundered his way through the COVID crisis.

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Democrats picked him from the candidate scrap heap during the primary after Eric Swalwell imploded and the Dem machine couldn’t abide Steyer, who portrayed himself as a billionaire against other billionaires.

Becerra is beatable, but Hilton has a very tough battle ahead.

Many state voters do not support President Trump, who endorsed Hilton; might relish elevating the state’s first Hispanic governor since 1850; and have not elected a GOP statewide officeholder since 2006.

Hilton also faces a powerful Democratic machine that includes unions, lefty nonprofits and other Dem-aligned stakeholders who will stop at nothing to make sure their guy takes the governor’s seat. 

So Hilton, the underdog, will need a well-funded, well-reasoned, well-articulated campaign, with a clear plan for California that resonates broadly with the voters who tell pollsters, in large numbers, that the state is on the wrong track. 

He’ll need to stay on offense, even as he’s attacked with bile and venom; in politics as in sports, one’s doesn’t win the game by playing defense.

But Hilton showed his poise and depth and drive during the primary campaign. He’s up to the job, and now needs to focus and get it done.