California GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton dropped a shocking ad teasing a lesbian encounter Thursday, a day after his debate with rival Democrat Xavier Becerra.
Hilton launched “Just Try It, California,” the first spot in a six-figure television and digital ad campaign aimed at Gen Z and millennial voters, his campaign said in a news release.
The ad shows two AI-generated young women sitting on a bed beneath a Pride flag, one wearing a “RESIST” shirt. Their suggestive exchange implies they are about to engage in a sexual act, with one hesitant and the other reassuring her it will be OK.
“What if my dad finds out?” asks one of the girls.
“Just try it,” the other responds. “Look, give me your hand. Close your eyes, and I’ll do all the work.”
The camera then pans down to show the two bubbling-in “Steve Hilton” on a California election ballot.
“I think I like it,” the girl who was once hesitant says, before the ad closes on the slogan “Just try it.”
Hilton in the past few months has been hammering in on a need for changing the status quo and making direct attempts to independents and even Democrats to vote for him. The candidate may have no other choice, given California’s predominantly blue electorate.
The Republican has previously taken out ads before asking people who hate President Donald Trump, who endorsed him, 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. “Gas, utilities, housing, schools. Sixteen years of the same government, and it keeps getting harder to live here. Just try something that actually brings costs down.”
“You do not have to become a Republican to want a different result,” Hilton continued. “You do not have to like me. You just have to look at the last 16 years and ask if you are willing to try it.”
The ad has gotten mixed reactions.
“OK now this is a brilliant ad. OMFG,” reacted former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, whose own campaign had numerous viral ads.
Others were cautious, as it could be perceived the ad is targeting gay and lesbian Democrats.
“This ad isn’t poorly executed, but no joke this might turn off more Republicans from voting for Hilton because of that flag and it appearing as a pro-LGBT Hilton ad,” one user commented. “It persuades moderates or left leaning people to vote for him.”
Some people said they felt weird watching the ad, while others praised what they saw as a brilliant twist.
Grabbing attention and provoking discussion may be what Hilton needs. The latest polls have him trailing Becerra by around 18 percentage points.
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