The Ad and the Message
California GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton dropped a new ad on Thursday teasing a lesbian encounter. The spot launched just one day after his debate with rival Democrat Xavier Becerra, according to the New York Post. The campaign calls the piece “Just Try It, California,” marking the first part of a six-figure ad buy.
This television and digital campaign specifically targets Gen Z and millennial voters, his team stated in a news release. Beneath a Pride flag, two AI-generated young women are seated on a bed in the video. One woman wears a “RESIST” shirt while the other speaks in a suggestive manner.
As one voice hesitates, the conversation suggests the women are preparing for a sexual act. “What if my dad finds out?” asks one of the girls in the video. “Just try it,” the other responds, according to the New York Post.
The second woman then says, “Look, give me your hand. Close your eyes, and I’ll do all the work.” The camera pans down to show the two bubbling-in “Steve Hilton” on a California election ballot. The hesitant girl then says, “I think I like it,” before the ad closes on the slogan.
Hilton’s Push for Change
Hilton has spent months hammering on the need to change the status quo in California. He strives directly to secure votes from independents and even Democrats. The candidate may have no other choice given California’s predominantly blue electorate.
He has previously asked people who hate President Donald Trump to still vote for him. “People do not need permission from a party to want a state they can afford,” Hilton said in a Thursday statement. He listed rising costs for gas, utilities, housing, and schools as key issues.
Hilton argued that voters do not need to become Republicans to want a different result. He emphasized that the state has seen sixteen years of identical governance and urged voters to consider a different approach to bring costs down.
“You do not have to become a Republican to want a different result,” Hilton continued. “You do not have to like me.” He asked voters to examine the past 16 years and determine if they wish to attempt it again.
Reactions to the Spot
The ad has already gotten mixed reactions from viewers and political observers. The campaign launched this specific spot on Thursday, October 1, 2026. This timing comes right after the CNN debate held on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in Burbank. The two candidates remain the final contenders in the race for California governor.
Hilton’s team is spending a six-figure sum on this television and digital push. The goal is to shake up the race with a message aimed at younger voters. The ad closes with the simple command to just try it.
