California GOP Fails to Endorse Governor Candidate

Neither Hilton nor Bianco reached 60% threshold at party convention

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:11pm

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A vibrant, abstract painting featuring overlapping, fractured shapes in shades of red, blue, and gold, conveying a sense of political tension and disunity.The California GOP's inability to coalesce around a single gubernatorial candidate reflects the party's internal divisions ahead of the 2026 primary.San Diego Today

At the California Republican Party's weekend endorsement convention in San Diego, delegates failed to consolidate behind either former Fox News host Steve Hilton or Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, leaving neither with the party's backing ahead of the June primary. Hilton received 44% of the vote, while Bianco led with 49%, both falling short of the 60% threshold required for an endorsement.

Why it matters

The lack of a GOP endorsement in the governor's race underscores the party's internal divisions as the primary approaches. Without a unified front, Republicans risk fracturing their base and making it more difficult to advance a candidate to the general election, where Democrats have dominated statewide races in recent years.

The details

At the party's endorsement convention, delegates were tasked with voting on candidates for federal, state and local offices. In the closely watched governor's race, neither Hilton nor Bianco were able to secure the 60% or more threshold required for the party's backing. A revote was also unsuccessful in breaking the deadlock. Bianco downplayed the result, framing it as indecision rather than a failure to endorse, while Hilton described it as progress for his campaign.

  • The California Republican Party held its statewide endorsement convention in San Diego over the weekend of April 12, 2026.
  • The party's primary election is scheduled for June 2026.

The players

Steve Hilton

A former host on Fox News who is running for California governor as a Republican.

Chad Bianco

The Riverside County Sheriff who is also running for California governor as a Republican.

Corrin Rankin

The chair of the California Republican Party, elected a year ago at the party's convention.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know if it was a lack of endorsement, it was a couldn't decide, and we're happy. We're very confident we'll be occupying the governor's office in January.”

— Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff

“We thought that Chad Bianco had it in the bag that's because he's an insider. We're the leading candidate for change and that party consolidation must happen around us.”

— Steve Hilton

“I like President Trump as a president, and I think his endorsement in California just hurts.”

— Kevin West, Bianco Supporter

What’s next

With the primary election fast approaching in June 2026, attention now shifts to whether a Republican or Republicans could advance to the November runoff as one of the top two vote-getters. The lack of a GOP endorsement leaves the party divided heading into the primary.

The takeaway

The California Republican Party's failure to endorse a candidate for governor underscores the deep divisions within the party as it seeks to regain statewide relevance. Without a unified front, the GOP risks fracturing its base and making it more difficult to advance a candidate to the general election, where Democrats have dominated in recent years.