Former California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton posted on X that he’s backing State Senator Tony Strickland to lead the California Republican Party. He wrote that the state needs a strong GOP that can actually win, and that the work of rebuilding starts now with grassroots voices at the center. Hilton said he’d help unite and grow the party after both men lost their races in the midterms; Strickland had also chaired Hilton’s campaign. The post drew plenty of replies, with many people questioning why Strickland, who just lost his own Senate seat, should take over a party that’s been struggling.
The video shows Hilton and Strickland seated on a sandy beach, with Hilton gesturing as he speaks and Strickland listening. On-screen text identifies “TONY STRICKLAND FOR CRP CHAIRMAN,” includes “WE’VE LAID THE FOUNDATIONS. NOW WE…,” and ends with a call to “COME JOIN OUR TEAM” and “ENDORSE TONY” at STRICKLANDFORCHAIR.COM.
The post quotes Hilton saying, “California needs a strong Republican Party to offer a positive alternative that can WIN,” “The building work starts now, and I’m proud to support Tony Strickland for party chair,” and that he will work to “unite and grow our movement” with “grassroots voices… CENTRAL.”
According to the New York Post and Orange County Register, Strickland, an outgoing state senator who lost reelection, launched his bid for California Republican Party chair after Chair Corrin Rankin said she would not run again following midterm losses. Hilton earlier told the Post he and Strickland “have worked closely together for years.”
Rankin called him one of the party’s “talented leaders,” while Assemblymember Carl DeMaio said he is “enthusiastically” backing Strickland as “a good fundraiser” who “knows how to run an organization.” Shawn Steel described him as “thoughtful, reflective and a consensus builder.” Strickland called the midterms “truly devastating” and called for a “fresh start.”
Online Reactions to Steve Hilton’s Endorsement of Tony Strickland
Some party figures and supporters highlighted Strickland’s experience, with DeMaio stating he is “grateful he wants to take on the challenge” and Steel noting the need for a leader who can build cohesiveness and grassroots coalitions.
Others on X questioned the choice after both men lost their races, with one user writing, “No thank you. I supported you for governor but can’t do it for this. Strickland lost his recent Senate race, and he’s lost races in the past. A guy like Strickland is just the typical California GOP good old boy Network.”
Another said, “Strickland is a grifter just looking for a job since he lost.”
A post stated, “CA Republicans working to create a leadership team 100% comprised of people who’ve been (repeatedly in Tony’s case) soundly rejected by voters.”
Additional replies called for new leadership, with one saying, “We need change, not these two,” while some focused on broader issues such as election integrity or past party performance.
It remains unclear how the endorsement will shape the race for California Republican Party chair. The post and video continue to circulate as party members and online users discuss the path forward after the midterms.
