California Republican candidate Steve Hilton claims Governor Newsom is quietly maneuvering to keep two Democrats on the November ballot — bad news for Republicans hoping to flip the state, good news for Newsom's 2028 presidential ambitions.

• Newsom hinted at a "break the glass" plan if two Republicans made the top-two primary, which Hilton reads as a signal to push Democratic voters toward billionaire Tom Steyer.
• Hilton argues Newsom fears facing a Republican governor in 2027 because it would wreck his presidential launch and force a public airing of his record.
• Steyer has spent $192 million on the race and is still polling third, while Republican Chad Bianco sits around 10% and former LA mayor Villaraigosa is stuck at 1%.
• Hilton points to voter ID on the November ballot and Trump's 2024 California vote totals as evidence a Republican can actually win a midterm governor race.
• He blames California's high gas, power, and housing costs on 2006 climate law AB32, noting Steyer personally funded the 2010 campaign that kept it in place.

Outlook: The June primary will decide whether a Republican makes the November ballot or Newsom gets the all-Democrat matchup he wants.