Hilton and Bianco Battle for GOP Governor Endorsement in San Diego

The California Republican Party failed to endorse a candidate for governor during its spring convention in San Diego, splitting support between two leading contenders despite a recent endorsement from President Donald Trump.

At the conclusion of the event on April 12, 2026, party delegates were unable to reach the 60 percent threshold required by state party rules to secure a formal endorsement. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco received 49 percent of the vote from approximately 1,100 delegates, while conservative commentator Steve Hilton, who holds the backing of President Trump, received 44 percent.

The remaining seven percent of delegates chose a third option of no endorsement.

Divide Over Trump Endorsement

The result is being viewed as a complication of the narrative that President Trump’s preference would consolidate Republican support. President Trump announced his preference for Steve Hilton last week, yet the delegate vote favored Bianco.

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Following the vote at the Sheraton San Diego Resort, Hilton emphasized the weight of the presidential nod, stating, I think everyone understands that the endorsement that really matters is the one that came last Sunday with President Trump. Hilton added that he remains totally confident regarding a victory in the primary.

Sheriff Bianco described the outcome as positive and not a setback, noting that he secured the largest share of the delegate vote. Bianco told reporters that it was obvious in that entire room that we have the far overwhelming support and claimed he has the popular vote among the delegates.

Convention Proceedings and Leadership

The three-day convention, which began on April 10, 2026, operated under the theme Turning the tide, together. Beyond the gubernatorial race, the event served as a training ground for party members, featuring dozens of sessions on voter mobilization, campaign strategy, election integrity, ballot-harvesting countermeasures, and the use of artificial intelligence in politics.

California Republican Party Chairwoman Corrin Rankin addressed the lack of a consensus candidate in a statement, describing the situation as follows:

The California Republican Party has an amazing candidate problem

Corrin Rankin

Rankin nonetheless praised both Hilton and Bianco as outstanding candidates.

The event featured several high-profile speakers, including U.S. Representatives Darrell Issa, Tom McClintock, and Jay Obernolte, as well as Republican National Committee Co-Chair KC Crosbie and former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas delivered the keynote address on the night of April 11, 2026. Cruz urged increased voter turnout for the midterms to challenge the Democratic super-majority in the state. During his speech, Cruz criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Representative Eric Swalwell.

Polling and Primary Outlook

Despite the convention vote, current polling indicates that Steve Hilton maintains a lead among the general electorate. Hilton has consistently polled between 16 and 22 percent of all voters. In comparison, Chad Bianco has fluctuated between 10 and 14 percent, occasionally placing second or third.

Political analysts suggest that the split within the GOP could lead to an unusual scenario in the June primary. If the Democratic field remains crowded, there is a possibility that both Hilton and Bianco could receive the highest overall vote totals, potentially locking Democrats out of the general election.

As the June primary approaches, both candidates continue to compete for the support of Californians in a state traditionally dominated by the Democratic Party.