Overview
- Steve Hilton, who received Trump's endorsement Monday, enters a state GOP convention in San Diego where delegates will weigh an endorsement that needs 60% support.
- A UC Berkeley poll shows Hilton at 17% and Chad Bianco at 16% in the June 2 top-two primary, which advances the two highest vote-getters regardless of party and could yield a Republican-only November if Democrats stay split.
- The GOP race has turned caustic, with Hilton calling Bianco 'wishy-washy' on immigration and Bianco branding Hilton a 'fraud' during a recent one-on-one debate.
- Political strategists say Trump's move could backfire by narrowing Republican support to Hilton and giving a Democrat space to claim a top-two slot.
- Hilton and Bianco vow to slash regulations and undo Democratic policies, yet experts say a GOP governor would face a Democratic supermajority, Senate confirmation hurdles and court checks.