California GOP Declines to Endorse Gubernatorial Candidate
Delegates at the California Republican convention in San Diego failed to deliver a party endorsement for governor. Neither Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco nor former Fox News host Steve Hilton reached the required 60 percent threshold.
Convention results
The event concluded at the Sheraton San Diego Resort after a weekend of meetings. The convention theme was “Turning the tide, together.”
Delegates cast 1,013 votes. Chad Bianco received 496 votes. Steve Hilton received 442 votes. Seventy-five delegates voted for no endorsement. A candidate needed 600 delegate votes to secure the party’s endorsement.
Candidates respond
Sheriff Bianco said he was surprised the margin was so close. He nonetheless expressed confidence in his campaign and prospects for January.
Hilton said the result did not surprise him. He called Bianco a party “insider” and pointed to polls and President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
Political context
The Republican contest now advances into a broader general campaign. Both men will face multiple Democratic rivals in the statewide race.
The California Democratic convention was held in February. Democrats also did not issue an endorsement. Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign on Sunday amid sexual assault allegations.
Calendar
The midterm election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2. Delegates and candidates now shift focus to the coming months.
Filmogaz.com will continue to follow developments as the California GOP declined to endorse a single gubernatorial candidate. Check back for updates.
