From California Post · · 1m 10s
GOP candidate pledges to appoint Democrat to Senate
Steve Hilton says he'd honor California voters by naming a Democrat if a Senate seat opens.
In brief
Steve Hilton says he'd honor California voters by naming a Democrat if a Senate seat opens. A Republican gubernatorial candidate is committing to respecting voter intent by appointing a Democrat to fill any Senate vacancy. Originally reported by California Post.
GOP candidate makes Senate pledge
Steve Hilton, the Republican running for California governor, says he would appoint a Democrat to fill a US Senate vacancy if elected.
The hypothetical scenario
Host Jon Lovett asked Hilton on Pod Save America what he'd do if either Senator Alex Padilla or Senator Adam Schiff left office.
Honoring the voters' choice
Hilton said California voters elected both senators, so he'd respect that by appointing a Democrat. "I just think you've got to honor the vote that people took," he explained.
“I just think you've got to honor the vote that people took.”
Hilton's political position
Hilton is running against Democrat Xavier Becerra in November's gubernatorial election and has received President Donald Trump's endorsement.
California's appointment history
While the Senate scenario is hypothetical, California governors have previously used their appointment power to fill Senate vacancies.
The one thing
A Republican gubernatorial candidate is committing to respecting voter intent by appointing a Democrat to fill any Senate vacancy.
