California's Newest Major Governor Candidate Spent Most of His Life in Britain

Steve Hilton has consolidated his spot in the primaries and is officially running for governor of California, but unlike most major candidates seeking the state's highest office, he spent the majority of his life thousands of miles away from Sacramento. Hilton was born in Britain and built his career in U.K. politics before moving to California in 2012.

The Republican candidate's biography is one of the most unusual in the 2026 governor's race. Before becoming known to American audiences as a Fox News host and commentator, Hilton was a senior adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron and helped shape the Conservative Party's modernization efforts, reported British newspaper The Guardian.

Hilton served as Cameron's director of strategy from 2010 to 2012, earning a reputation as an influential policy adviser in Downing Street. His work focused on government reform and the "Big Society" agenda that became a defining feature of Cameron's early premiership.

In 2012, Hilton left Britain and relocated to California with his wife, technology executive Rachel Whetstone. ITV stated that he moved to Silicon Valley and later taught at Stanford University while becoming increasingly involved in American political and business circles.

Over the next decade, Hilton reinvented himself as a California-based entrepreneur, author and television personality. He hosted "The Next Revolution" on Fox News and became a prominent conservative voice arguing that California's government needed major reforms.

One of the most striking facts about Hilton's candidacy is the timeline. While he has lived in California for about 14 years, he spent more than four decades in Britain before moving to the United States. Recent profiles have repeatedly described him as a British-born candidate seeking to lead America's largest state.

Supporters argue that Hilton's international background and experience in government, media and business give him a fresh perspective on California's challenges. Critics counter that someone who spent most of his life abroad may face questions about his connection to the state's political culture and history. The issue is likely to become more prominent as the race against Xavier Becerra intensifies.

Whether voters see Hilton's British roots as an asset or a liability remains unclear. What is certain is that few candidates for California governor can claim a résumé that includes advising a British prime minister, building a media career in America and then seeking to lead the world's fifth-largest economy.