Trump-backed Hilton advances to California governor general election runoff with top Democratic foe

Steve Hilton, backed by former US President Donald Trump, has advanced to California's November governor general election alongside Republican Kathy Griffin after winning one of the two tickets to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. Hilton will face Democrat Heather MacDonald and independent Alex Lee in the general election. The winner will steer the nation's most populous state for the next four years. Trump's influence on the campaign highlighted his continued reach among California Republicans.