Steve Hilton’s Unconventional Journey in American Politics

Steve Hilton, a prominent figure in conservative politics in Britain, is now making waves in the American political scene. His candidacy for California governor has caught the attention of both his former colleagues in Britain and American political observers.

In a recent forum for California governor candidates, when asked about his television preferences, Hilton mentioned a British political satire, “The Thick of It.” He noted its connection to the producers of “Veep” and highlighted its profane humor. To his surprise, he discovered a character in the show is based on him.

Hilton, 56, is not a typical candidate for a state traditionally leaning Democratic. Born in Britain, he once served as Prime Minister David Cameron’s advisor before moving to the United States 14 years ago. He has since become a Fox News commentator and is now a top contender in California’s gubernatorial primary. The state’s primary system advances the top two candidates from any party to the general election in November.

Hilton’s former British colleagues find his American political resurgence intriguing. In “The Thick of It,” he is caricatured as Stewart Pearson, a quirky character known for promoting unconventional ideas, such as “thought circles” and remarks like “knowledge is porridge.” Hilton himself gained notoriety for his unique style, often seen walking Downing Street barefoot and in shorts. He was known for promoting bold ideas, including weather modification proposals and reforms to maternity leave, though he contested how these were characterized.

Hilton left British politics in 2012 to join his wife, Rachel Whetstone, in the United States. Whetstone, also a former Tory strategist, pursued a successful career in the tech sector, holding senior communication roles at companies like Netflix and Google. Meanwhile, Hilton transitioned to become a host on Fox News. Rupert Murdoch, founder of the media group behind Fox News, and Google co-founder Sergey Brin are among his largest campaign donors, according to financial disclosures.