Steve Hilton says he’d appoint Dem to fill US Senate seat if elected California governor

GOP California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton says he would appoint a Democrat to fill a US Senate vacancy if elected — in the event of one of the state’s two current Democratic senators leaving office.

Hilton made the pledge during a recent appearance on “Pod Save America,” where host Jon Lovett presented him with a hypothetical vacancy involving either Sen. Alex Padilla or Sen. Adam Schiff.

“I just think you’ve got to honor the vote that people took,” Hilton said, referring to the fact that California voters elected both senators.

GOP California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton says he would appoint a Democrat to fill a US Senate vacancy if elected — in the event of one of the state’s two current Democratic senators leaving office. REUTERS

Hilton made the pledge during a recent appearance on “Pod Save America,” where host Jon Lovett presented him with a hypothetical vacancy involving either Sen. Alex Padilla or Sen. Adam Schiff. Getty Images for Vox Media

Hilton is running against Democrat Xavier Becerra in the November gubernatorial election and received President Donald Trump’s endorsement in April.

The Senate scenario is hypothetical. But California governors have previously used their appointment power to fill Senate vacancies.