Steve Hilton Announces Gloria Romero as Running Mate: A 'Golden Ticket' for California's 2026 Gubernatorial Race
- Elisa Ballard
- Jan 13
- 2 min read
Sacramento, CA – In a bold move to challenge Democratic dominance in California, Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has named former Democratic State Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero as his preferred running mate for lieutenant governor, dubbing the pairing "California's Golden Ticket."
The announcement came on January 12, 2026, with Romero formally declaring her candidacy for lieutenant governor and Hilton endorsing her as part of an informal ticket. Although California elects its governor and lieutenant governor separately under the top-two primary system, the alliance allows the candidates to campaign together, pooling resources and presenting a unified front ahead of the June 2, 2026, primary.
Hilton, a former Fox News host, Silicon Valley entrepreneur, and conservative commentator, praised Romero's deep experience in Sacramento. "She's been incredibly helpful already, helping me understand how Sacramento works and doesn't work," Hilton said. "When I'm the governor, I will have to work with the legislature... She really understands how it works and still has relationships."
Romero, who served in the California Legislature for 12 years—including as the first female Senate Majority Leader from 2005 to 2008—switched from the Democratic Party to Republican in 2024, citing the party's shift away from working families and education reform. "It’s a new day, and I’m proud to work alongside Steve in this exciting race to make California Golden again," Romero stated.
This team-up is significant for several reasons. It combines Hilton's outsider perspective and populist appeal with Romero's insider knowledge and bipartisan credentials, potentially broadening Republican outreach in a state where no GOP candidate has won statewide office since 2006. Romero's background as a prominent Latina Democrat-turned-Republican adds crossover potential, especially on issues like school choice, public safety, and affordability—areas where she has criticized Democratic policies.
The pairing signals an ambitious strategy to end one-party rule in California, with Hilton indicating plans to announce more aligned statewide candidates. In a crowded field dominated by high-profile Democrats, this "golden ticket" could energize conservative voters and appeal to disaffected moderates frustrated with the state's challenges.
As the 2026 race heats up, all eyes will be on whether this cross-ideological alliance can break through in California's nonpartisan primary system.
