Republicans slam Steve Hilton for ‘creepy’ innuendo-filled campaign ad | Steve Hilton

Steve Hilton, the Republican candidate for governor of California, is facing intense criticism from members of his own party over a controversial campaign ad filled with sexual innuendo that has been called “creepy.”

The video titled “Just Try It, California” was released last week and shows two young women with brightly colored hair sitting on a bed in front of a pride flag in dim lighting. One nervously says “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” while another strokes her hair and tells her “don’t be nervous, it’s not that bad” before guiding her to fill out a ballot for Hilton and aggressively ordering her to “lick.”

The controversy comes as Hilton, a former British political adviser to David Cameron and Fox News host, struggles to advance his long-shot bid against Xavier Becerra, the former health secretary. With the November midterm elections just weeks away, Hilton is behind in the polls.

Sonja Shaw, the Republican nominee for California superintendent of public instruction, called the new campaign ad “creepy, weird, disturbing garbage.”

“This is a clear example of why good people are walking away from the Republican Party. As a mother and someone who has fought to protect the innocence of children, this crosses a line. We have lost our way,” she wrote on social media.

Michael Gates, the party’s nominee for state attorney general, also condemned the ad, saying he “strongly (denounces) the use of young women as a political tool.”

Hilton faces considerable difficulty in the deep blue state, where voters have not elected a Republican as party leader since 2004. Polls have consistently shown Becerra with a significant lead over Hilton.

Hilton is trying to rally California Republicans while converting Democrats and independents frustrated by California’s ever-increasing cost of living.

In a video released shortly after the ad launched, Hilton said it was largely received positively, but he recognized people were offended and that was not the intention of his campaign.

“We were trying to make our point in a provocative, satirical way,” he said. “It saddens me that you were upset by this. But I also want to ask you to understand what we are doing, why we are doing it and to ask for some grace and understanding as we wage this campaign.”

Becerra was quick to wade into controversy by posting an article about his own support for Medicare for All with a line directed at his rival: “Steve, try it!” »