Steve Hilton’s Political Journey from Britain to California

Steve Hilton is a notable figure who transitioned from British politics to the American political scene in California. Initially gaining attention as a key advisor to British Prime Minister David Cameron, Hilton is now making waves in the California governor’s race.

During a candidate forum earlier this year, Hilton surprised many by mentioning a British political satire, “The Thick of It,” as his television choice. He humorously noted that a character in the show is based on him, known for his colorful language and comedic portrayal.

At 56, Hilton is not the typical candidate aiming for leadership in a predominantly Democratic state like California. A native Brit, he moved to California 14 years ago and became a Fox News commentator. In Tuesday’s primary, he is a leading contender, with the top two candidates advancing to the November general election regardless of party affiliation.

Hilton’s American political journey has intrigued his former colleagues in Britain. On “The Thick of It,” his alter ego, Stewart Pearson, is depicted humorously, advocating unconventional ideas like “thought circles” for Conservatives. In real life, Hilton was known for his eccentric proposals, such as using technology to alter weather patterns in Britain, which he later clarified in public discourse.

In 2012, Hilton left British politics, following his wife Rachel Whetstone, a successful Tory strategist, to the U.S. She pursued a thriving career in the tech industry with roles at Netflix and Google. Hilton took on a position as a Fox News host, backed by major donors like Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul behind Fox News, and Google co-founder Sergey Brin, as shown in campaign finance records.