Steve Hilton’s Politico Path: From Britain to California

Steve Hilton, a notable figure in conservative politics in Britain, now finds himself in the spotlight once again, this time in the United States. He has joined the race for California governor, raising eyebrows among his former British colleagues and rivals.

Earlier this year, during a forum for candidates running for California governor, a question about television preferences revealed Hilton’s taste for British political satire. He mentioned watching ‘The Thick of It,’ noting its connection to ‘Veep’ and labeling it as ‘incredibly profane.’ Hilton humorously acknowledged that a character in the show is based on him.

At 56, Hilton, originally from Britain, stands out in the race to govern one of the most Democratic-leaning states in the US. He was once a key figure for former British Prime Minister David Cameron before relocating to California 14 years ago and becoming a pundit on Fox News. On the primary day in California, the two top candidates, regardless of party, will move forward to the general election in November.

Hilton’s re-emergence in American politics has left his British acquaintances puzzled. His on-screen alter ego in ‘The Thick of It,’ Stewart Pearson, comes off as a bumbling character attempting to sell ‘thought circles’ to confused colleagues and spouting clichés. In reality, Hilton was known for his unconventional approach, often going barefoot and proposing unorthodox ideas at Downing Street, such as using cloud-bursting technology to improve British weather and eliminating maternity leave. Hilton has contested the portrayal of these proposals.

Hilton departed from the British political scene in 2012, following his spouse Rachel Whetstone, who also has roots in Tory strategy, as she pursued an esteemed career in the tech industry. Rachel held prominent communication roles with companies like Netflix and Google. Hilton settled into a position as a Fox News host. According to campaign finance records, media mogul Rupert Murdoch, the founder of Fox News, and Google co-founder Sergey Brin are among Hilton’s key supporters.