Steve Hilton, the Republican candidate for California governor, held a press conference on the Capitol steps, declaring the official start of his campaign following strong early primary results. With nearly 1.4 million votes, Hilton leads with 27.8%, followed by Democrat Xavier Becerra at 25.4% and Tom Steyer at 19.6%. Hilton aims to connect with voters by promising to reduce living costs in California, where housing, gas, and grocery prices are among the highest in the nation. He emphasized the need for change, challenging the Democratic establishment and expressing confidence that voters are ready to shift away from one-party rule. Hilton's endorsement from former President Trump adds to his visibility, though he acknowledges the need to appeal to a broader electorate, including independents and moderate Democrats. As he prepares for a likely showdown with Becerra in November, Hilton remains optimistic about his campaign's potential to resonate with California voters seeking alternatives to the status quo.