Steve Hilton, a former top adviser to ex-UK Prime Minister David Cameron and a former Fox News host, will advance as one of two candidates in the race for California governor.
After a week of counting ballots from the 2 June primary race, the British-born candidate secured his slot on Tuesday to move ahead in the election, edging out billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer, a Democrat.
Hilton will face former Biden administration health secretary Xavier Becerra in the general election in November.
President Donald Trump has backed Hilton. If he wins in November, he will be the first Republican governor in 15 years to run the liberal-leaning US state.
"I want you to know that I'm running for governor to be of service to you, to make sure that our government gets the basics right so that you can live your dreams," Hilton said in a social media video after it was announced he was advancing in the race.
"The good thing about tonight is that now we know change is coming."
More than 60 candidates, mostly Democrats, were on the ballot to replace current term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has been floated as a possible future presidential contender.
Newsom has been a vocal opponent of Trump as the state fights the administration over a variety of issues, from immigration to climate policies.
Hilton and Becerra will now spend the next few months battling to become California's chief executive. That person is 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, with immense ad spending by Steyer and Silicon Valley opening its wallet to back another Democratic candidate, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
Hilton has never held elected office before, but has said that if he wins, he will not mirror other California politicians.
"When people say, 'How are you going to win in California as a Republican?' My question is, how will a Democrat win based on the record that they are putting before the people?" he said earlier this month.
He was born in the UK to parents who escaped Soviet Hungary during the 1956 uprising. After attending Oxford University, he grew to fame while working as a top aide to Cameron from 2010-12.
He was thought of as the prime minister's big thinker and a key figure in helping modernise the party, being an early internet adopter and filming Cameron on webcam when no-one was really doing that in UK politics.
Hilton also helped soften the image of the Conservative Party – which had become known as "the nasty party". He was known for walking around Downing Street in T-shirts, shorts and even barefoot.
His casual appearance once prompted President Barack Obama to ask during a visit: "Who's the beach bum?"
Hilton also made headlines for eye-catching policy ideas, such as abolishing maternity leave.
But he later grew critical of the Conservative prime minister's immigration policy – the pair ultimately disagreed on how the UK should face Brexit.
After two years in government, Hilton left in 2012 to go on a sabbatical, but not before cementing his place in sitcom history, inspiring the character of Stewart Pearson, the 'walking think-pod' PR guru in the British sitcom, The Thick Of It.
That year he moved to the US West Coast. His wife, Rachel Whetstone, has worked for Netflix and Google.
In 2017, Hilton began a six-year stint hosting a show on the conservative news network, Fox News.
He became an American citizen in 2021, according to US media.
His rise in popularity in the race can be attributed in part to Trump's endorsement.
The president has said Hilton would "be a great governor" and argued that "Democrats have done an absolutely horrendous job" in California and that "people are fleeing" the state.
"I know Steve – He is a hard driving WINNER, and he will turn California around, quickly – and the Federal Government will be there, with him, to help!" Trump said in a social media post.
Meanwhile, Becerra, a California native, served as the state's attorney general and as the nation's health secretary under Democratic President Joe Biden.
If elected, he would be California's first Latino governor since 1875, in a state where Latinos make up about 41% of the population.
He has framed his campaign around his lifetime of work in politics and his credibility working both in Congress in Washington DC and in California state office.
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 congressman Eric Swalwell dropped out in April amid allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, which he has repeatedly denied.
The BBC's Kate Whannel and Newsnight political editor Nick Watt contributed to this report.
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