Republican candidate Steve Hilton demands Chad Bianco drop out of CA governor race

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton is making an urgent appeal to Republican rival Chad Bianco to exit the race, warning that a divided GOP could hand Democrats both spots in California’s general election.

With just days before Tuesday’s primary, Hilton argued the contest has become a battle among three candidates for two coveted spots on the November ballot.

“It’s a very, very tight race,” Hilton said in a social media post. “There’s basically three people competing for two spots in the general election.”

The former Fox News host painted a joyless picture for conservatives if the party fails to consolidate behind a single candidate.

“We could have Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra in the general election,” he said. “That is a disaster for California.”

The Englishman escalated the pressure on Bianco, claiming Republican infighting could produce what he called an electoral “Doomsday Scenario.”

“ONE MAN can stop the Doomsday Scenario!”

“Chad, the best time to drop out was two weeks ago. The second best is now…”

Hilton also argued that key Republican priorities, including voter ID measures, could be jeopardized if Democrats lock Republicans out of the governor’s race.

He warned that GOP candidates across California’s ballot would suffer politically unless Bianco withdraws.

Unless we unite we’ll get an all-Dem general election: Becerra vs Steyer. No change for California, disaster for every Republican running this year, Voter ID…

ONE MAN can stop the Doomsday Scenario!

Chad, the best time to drop out was two weeks ago. The second best is now… pic.twitter.com/oAra5wAXqA

— Steve Hilton (@SteveHiltonx) May 31, 2026

The plea comes after a new California Post poll released Friday showed a surprisingly tight contest at the top of the field.

The survey, conducted May 26-28, found Democrat Tom Steyer and Hilton tied for first place at 25% each.

Former Biden-staffer Xavier Becerra, long viewed as a frontrunner, trailed in third with 19%.

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Bianco placed fourth with 10%, followed by Katie Porter at 7% and Matt Mahan at 6%.

The poll reported a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points and a 95% confidence level