A 30-second spot opens with soft piano and Steve Hilton walking a foggy coastal trail while the tagline Just try it appears over images of climate action and reproductive health clinics. The creative is designed to signal moderation to California swing voters. Republicans recoiled. The ad is now a flashpoint in the 2026 governor race.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is Steve Hilton’s ‘Just try it’ ad about?
- A: The 30-second spot features Steve Hilton walking a foggy coastal trail with soft piano, overlaid with the tagline ‘Just try it’ and imagery of climate action and reproductive health clinics to signal moderation.
- Q: Why are Republicans criticizing the ad?
- A: Republicans recoiled at the ad’s liberal-leaning themes, viewing it as an attempt to pander to California swing voters and a betrayal of conservative principles.
- Q: How does the ad relate to the 2026 governor race?
- A: The creative is now a flashpoint in the 2026 California governor race, highlighting tensions between appealing to swing voters and maintaining GOP base support.