San Jose Mayor Slams Trump Endorsement of GOP Rival in California Governor Race

Matt Mahan says Trump's backing of Steve Hilton signals a Hilton governorship would mirror Trump's policies.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:27pm

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A vibrant, fragmented painting depicting the California state capitol building in warm, overlapping geometric shapes, conveying a sense of political tension and division.Trump's endorsement of Hilton in the California governor's race has sparked a heated political clash, with San Jose's mayor warning of the potential consequences.San Jose Today

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has strongly criticized President Donald Trump's endorsement of former Fox News host Steve Hilton in the California governor's race. Mahan said Trump's backing of Hilton indicates that a Hilton governorship would resemble Trump's own policies, including higher costs, a damaged economy, and a state government that does Trump's bidding, opens the door to ICE, and attacks local communities instead of defending them.

Why it matters

The California governor's race is a high-stakes election that will shape the state's political and policy direction for years to come. Mahan's rebuke of Trump's endorsement of Hilton suggests the race could become a proxy battle between the Democratic and Republican parties' visions for California.

The details

Mahan, a Democrat, criticized Trump's 'COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT' of Hilton, a Republican, saying it shows voters exactly what a Hilton governorship would entail. Mahan accused Hilton of aligning with Trump's agenda, which he said would lead to higher costs, economic damage, and a state government that does Trump's bidding, opens the door to immigration enforcement, and attacks local communities.

  • The endorsement from Trump came on April 6, 2026.

The players

Matt Mahan

The Democratic mayor of San Jose, California, who is running against Steve Hilton in the state's gubernatorial race.

Steve Hilton

A Republican candidate for California governor who previously hosted a show on Fox News and has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who has endorsed Steve Hilton in the California governor's race.

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What they’re saying

“By endorsing Steve Hilton, Trump is telling Californians exactly what a Hilton governorship would look like: higher costs, a wrecked economy, and a Sacramento that does Trump's bidding, opens the door to ICE, and attacks our communities instead of defending them.”

— Matt Mahan, San Jose Mayor

The takeaway

The California governor's race is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle between the Democratic and Republican visions for the state, with Trump's endorsement of Hilton serving as a flashpoint that could further polarize the contest.