SouthernWorldwide.com – California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton believes the growing support for his campaign and Spencer Pratt’s independent bid for Los Angeles mayor signals a strong desire among voters in the predominantly liberal state for candidates outside the established political system.
Hilton, recognized as a leading contender to succeed the term-limited Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, highlighted Spencer Pratt’s campaign. Pratt, a reality TV personality and online influencer who has transitioned to a mayoral candidate, is gaining traction with his populist message for the nation’s second-most populous city. Despite being a Republican, Pratt is running as an independent in a city largely dominated by Democrats.
Hilton stated in an interview shortly before California’s June 2 primary elections that both he and Pratt represent outsiders. He noted their differing backgrounds and campaign approaches, emphasizing that their shared status as newcomers to politics is a key factor in their campaigns resonating with voters.
He further argued that both he and Pratt are aiming to disrupt a political system that is perceived as ineffective, which is why their candidacies are gaining traction.
Pratt, who is challenging Democratic Mayor Karen Bass, also has the backing of former President Trump. Pratt’s rise is partly attributed to his prominent status as a victim of last year’s severe wildfires, which destroyed over 17,000 homes in Los Angeles County. His campaign also focuses on issues such as homelessness, crime, and government accountability, areas of concern in a city long governed by Democrats.
Mayor Karen Bass is facing challenges from both the right, from Pratt, and from the left, from progressive City Council member Nithya Raman. If no candidate secures over 50% of the vote in Tuesday’s nonpartisan mayoral election, the top two candidates will proceed to a runoff in November.
In the gubernatorial race, current polling suggests Hilton, a former British political advisor, is competing with Democrat Xavier Becerra, a former Cabinet secretary in the Biden administration, for the top position in the primary. Following them is Democrat Tom Steyer, a billionaire hedge fund founder and environmental activist who previously sought his party’s presidential nomination in 2020.
Other candidates in the governor’s race include Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Democratic Representative Katie Porter. Democratic contenders also include San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
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The two candidates who receive the most votes in the nonpartisan gubernatorial primary will advance to the general election.
