Steve Hilton lashes out at Gavin Newsom over “break the glass” warning as California top-two primary looms
Republican Steve Hilton sharply criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom after Newsom warned Democrats might be “locked out” of November under California’s top-two primary and said he has a “break the glass” contingency to prevent that outcome.
- Newsom’s warning: He described a contingency to avoid Democrats being “locked out” of the general election under California’s top-two primary.
- Hilton’s charge: He called the remarks fearmongering designed to split Republican voters and urged Chad Bianco to withdraw.
- Polling reality: RealClearPolitics averages show Hilton leading, Xavier Becerra close behind, and Bianco trailing — creating an unpredictable top-two math.
- Expert view: Ballot-access analysts warn the jungle primary makes vote-splitting dangerous in a race with no clear frontrunner.
What Newsom said and why it matters
At a recent news conference, Gov. Gavin Newsom warned Democrats could be at risk of being shut out of the November ballot under California’s top-two primary unless the party acts to prevent that scenario. He said he had a “break the glass” plan to make sure Democrats aren’t “locked out,” adding:
“There are people who have a deep understanding of what it would look like if Democrats were locked out, and we’re going to do everything to make sure that doesn’t happen. I’ll leave it there.”
The governor’s warning reflects a structural risk in the state’s system: under the top-two, or “jungle,” primary all candidates appear on one ballot and the two highest vote-getters — regardless of party — advance to the general election. That can yield a November pairing of two candidates from the same party, leaving the other party without a ballot option.
For background and official context, see Gov. Gavin Newsom’s official site and press materials and analysis at Ballot Access News.
Hilton’s response: fearmongering or fair warning?
Steve Hilton, the leading Republican in RealClearPolitics averages, responded sharply. He called Newsom’s comments “fearmongering” and accused the governor of trying to split Republican votes to manufacture an all-Democrat November. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Hilton said:
“He’s not trying to stop a top two Republican outcome because that is not possible and never was.”
Hilton also posted a video on social media urging Republican rival Sheriff Chad Bianco to exit the race so Republicans wouldn’t be divided in the primary. He argued consolidation behind a single GOP candidate is the only path to guarantee a Republican in November.
See Hilton’s messaging at Steve Hilton’s posts and video on X and coverage at Fox News Digital.
Where the polling stands
Polling averages indicate a volatile field. RealClearPolitics polling averages at reporting put Hilton in the lead, Xavier Becerra close behind and Chad Bianco trailing — a distribution that makes the top-two outcome unpredictable and heightens the risk of vote-splitting effects.
Bianco’s standing and Hilton’s call to withdraw
Sheriff Chad Bianco of Riverside County trails in both polling and fundraising compared with Hilton. Hilton’s public appeal for Bianco to drop out is a tactical effort to consolidate Republican support; in a crowded field even trailing candidates can siphon enough votes to alter who finishes in the top two.
Bianco has not announced plans to withdraw, leaving GOP voters to weigh preference voting against strategic voting aimed at ensuring a Republican presence in November.
Expert view: why this race feels different
Political analysts say this cycle is unusually uncertain. Richard Winger, owner of Ballot Access News, told reporters this is “really the first gubernatorial election where there’s no obvious winner,” which magnifies the impact of vote splitting and strategic voting under the top-two system that California approved by referendum in 2010.
Why Democrats might publicly flag the risk
From Newsom’s perspective, publicly flagging a contingency plan serves to alert Democratic voters and funders, encourage consolidation around viable candidates, and pressure Republican voters by framing the risk of a Rep-vs-Rep November. Hilton counters that Democrats would prefer two Democrats in November to lessen scrutiny on the governor’s record and ambitions.
What this means for GOP strategy
Republican voters and strategists face a choice: support the candidate they prefer in the primary, or vote tactically to protect a GOP slot in November. Hilton’s call for Bianco to step aside aims to force consolidation; outcomes may hinge on final fundraising, local endorsements and county-level turnout operations.
What to watch in the final two weeks
- Polling shifts: Watch updated RealClearPolitics averages and local surveys for movement.
- Fundraising and endorsements: Late money and key endorsements could tip the top-two outcome.
- Voter outreach: Ground operations in rural counties with high GOP turnout may be decisive.
- Party messaging: Will California Republicans consolidate, or will Democrats successfully encourage a split on the right?
Sources and reporting notes
- Fox News Digital coverage of Hilton’s statement
- RealClearPolitics polling averages for California governor
- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s official site and press materials
- Ballot Access News and analysis by Richard Winger
- Steve Hilton’s posts and video on X
Reporting for this article relied on candidate statements, the governor’s public remarks, RealClearPolitics polling averages, and analysis by Ballot Access News. For more detailed primary resources see the links above.
