Hilton is now seen as having a genuine chance to reach the final runoff, despite having no prior experience in elected office on either side of the Atlantic, and his political history seems incompatible with his support for MAGA Republicanism.
His chances of winning in November are slim, given California’s Democratic leanings and its strong opposition to Donald Trump — who has endorsed him. However, reaching the November election would give Hilton a platform. In the U.K., he is known for challenging the status quo.
He is known for his unconventional style, rarely wearing a collared shirt, never a tie, and using a flip-phone instead of a smartphone—famously portrayed as the spin doctor Stewart Pearson in “The Thick of It.”
Among those from the Cameron era, he’s known for attracting attention, though many who interacted with him in Westminster believe his enthusiasm for campaigning doesn’t translate well to governance and often falters in practice.
However, Michael Gove, a former senior Cabinet minister who worked with Hilton, argued that he should not be underestimated. “I’m absolutely convinced that it wouldn’t be where he is if he weren’t deadly serious about bringing change,” he told POLITICO. Hilton did not respond to a request for comment.
Hilton is largely credited with transforming David Cameron’s image from an archetypal Tory to a more modern, relatable politician, helping the Conservatives regain power after 13 years out.
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