After a week of counting ballots from the 2 June primary race the British born candidate secured his slot to move ahead in the election, edging out billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer.
Hilton will face former Biden administration health secretary Xavier Becerra in the general election in November.
President Donald Trump has backed Hilton, and if he wins in November he will be the first Republican governor in 15 years to run the liberal leaning US state.
Hilton said in a social media video after the announcement that he is running for governor to be of service and to make sure the government gets the basics right so people can live their dreams.
He added that the good thing about the night is that now they know change is coming.
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More than 60 candidates mostly Democrats were on the ballot to replace current term limited Governor Gavin Newsom.
Newsom has been a vocal opponent of Trump’s policies as the state fights the administration over issues from immigration to climate policies.
Hilton and Becerra will now spend the next few months battling to become California’s chief executive, a role responsible for overseeing a multibillion dollar budget, thousands of state employees, and hundreds of state agencies.
The contest has become the most expensive California governor race on record.
Hilton has never held elected office before but has said that if he wins he will not mirror other California politicians.
He rose to fame while serving as a top aide to Cameron from 2010 to 2012 but later grew critical of the conservative prime minister’s immigration policy, and the pair ultimately disagreed on Brexit.
Hilton was known for unconventional moments during his tenure, once greeting former President Barack Obama in his socks, walking the halls of Downing Street in shorts, and referring to Cameron as Dave.
He also made headlines for eye catching policy ideas such as abolishing maternity leave.
In 2012 he moved to the US from the UK, and in 2017 he began a six year stint hosting a television show on Fox News.
He became a US citizen in 2021.
His rise in popularity can be attributed in part to Trump’s endorsement, with the president saying Hilton would be a great governor and arguing that Democrats have done an absolutely horrendous job in California.
Trump called Hilton a hard driving winner who will turn California around quickly.
Meanwhile Becerra, a California native, served as the state’s attorney general and as the nation’s health secretary under President Joe Biden.
If elected he would be California’s first Latino governor since 1875 in a state where Latinos make up about 41 percent of the population.
He has framed his campaign around his lifetime of work in politics and his credibility working both in Congress and in California.
Becerra has vowed to fight Trump’s policies and promised to freeze insurance and utility rates for Californians.
His standing in the race was boosted after Democratic Rep Eric Swalwell dropped out in April amid allegations of sexual assault and misconduct which he has repeatedly denied.
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