California GOP Declines to Endorse Candidate for Governor

Neither Trump-backed Steve Hilton nor Sheriff Chad Bianco reached the 60% threshold for the party's endorsement.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:52pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting in red, white, and blue featuring overlapping, fractured shapes and silhouettes of two figures, conveying a sense of political tension and uncertainty.The California GOP's inability to unite behind a single gubernatorial candidate highlights the party's internal divisions ahead of a pivotal primary election.San Diego Today

The California Republican Party declined to endorse a candidate for governor at its 2026 convention, with neither Trump-backed Steve Hilton nor Sheriff Chad Bianco reaching the 60% threshold required for endorsement. The no-consensus decision is further evidence that the race for governor remains volatile just months away from the June primary, as the state's Democratic party also failed to endorse a candidate in February.

Why it matters

The lack of a Republican Party endorsement suggests ongoing divisions within the party and uncertainty about the direction of the governor's race. With no clear frontrunner, the primary could be highly competitive, potentially leading to a Republican versus Republican general election matchup - an outcome that some GOP leaders view as favorable.

The details

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and Hilton, a former Fox News host, both fell short of the 60% threshold required for endorsement on Sunday afternoon. The final vote of 1,101 delegates favored Bianco 49% to 44%, with another 7% voting for no endorsement. In the minutes leading up to the vote tally, Bianco supporters took over the crowd with chants. Last week, Trump released a statement publicly backing Hilton, which GOP consultants say increased the likelihood that neither man met the 60% threshold.

  • The California Republican Party convention took place on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
  • In February 2026, the state's Democratic Party also failed to endorse a candidate for governor.

The players

Steve Hilton

A former Fox News host who received an endorsement from President Donald Trump for the California governor's race.

Chad Bianco

The Riverside County Sheriff who was one of the leading candidates in the race for California governor.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who publicly endorsed Steve Hilton for California governor.

Eric Swalwell

A U.S. Representative who was one of the leading candidates in the polls for California governor, but faced accusations of sexual assault that led to calls for him to step aside.

Jon Fleischman

A former executive director of the California Republican Party who commented on the significance of Trump's endorsement of Hilton.

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What they’re saying

“Hilton has what he needs to go to likely Republican voters — the support of the president.”

— Jon Fleischman, Former Executive Director, California Republican Party

“What we really want after June is a real Bianco versus Hilton race. Then we can get really excited.”

— Shawn Steel, Republican National Committee Member, Former California Republican Party Chairman

“Much rather support someone that has a shot.”

— Guadalupe Gonzales

“We need somebody who's intimately familiar with law and order.”

— Karen Contreras, Republican Voter

“This was never supposed to be about a dishonest smear campaign and bullseyes. Democrats and lifetime, typical politicians believe the ends justifies the means. Republicans of character say it does not.”

— Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff

What’s next

The two leading Republican candidates, Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, will continue campaigning ahead of the June primary election, with the possibility of a Republican versus Republican general election matchup still on the table.

The takeaway

The California Republican Party's failure to endorse a gubernatorial candidate reflects the ongoing divisions and uncertainty within the party, setting the stage for a potentially contentious and unpredictable primary race that could have significant implications for the general election.