LOS ANGELES – In a strategic move that could reshape the political landscape of California, President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind Republican candidate Steve Hilton in the upcoming gubernatorial race. This endorsement adds a new dynamic to an already competitive contest for the leadership of the United States’ most populous state.

Via his own social media platform, Truth Social, Trump expressed his long-standing acquaintance with Hilton, describing the conservative commentator as “a truly fine man.” He emphasized Hilton’s potential to revitalize California, a state Trump criticized for its high taxes and other challenges, stating it has “gone to hell.”

“With federal help, and a great governor like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before!” Trump proclaimed, signaling his belief in Hilton’s ability to instigate positive change.

This pivotal endorsement arrives just as mail ballots are set to be distributed to voters ahead of the June 2 primary. It aims to consolidate conservative support for Hilton in a race without a definitive front-runner. However, Trump’s backing is a double-edged sword; while it may rally his base, it could prove detrimental to Hilton in a general election against a Democrat, given Trump’s unpopularity in the staunchly Democratic state.

California’s distinctive “top two” primary system has Democrats on edge, fearing the possibility of two Republicans securing spots on the November ballot. Hilton’s primary competition, Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff, is another strong Republican contender. Trump’s endorsement could help Hilton capture undecided conservative voters, potentially averting an all-Republican general election scenario.

The ballot is packed with over 50 candidates, including eight prominent Democrats alongside Hilton and Bianco. California’s primary system, which places all candidates on a single ballot and advances only the top two vote-getters to November, regardless of party affiliation, leaves room for unexpected outcomes.

Polling in early February by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found the field had broken into two distinct groups, with Bianco, Hilton and three Democrats — U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer — in close competition, with other candidates trailing.