Libertarian Candidate for Governor Tom Woodard Suspends Campaign and Endorses Steve Hilton

Woodard calls on all Libertarians to back Steve Hilton for Governor of California.

CARLSBAD, CA, UNITED STATES, May 22, 2026 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ – Woodard, the Libertarian Party endorsed candidate for Governor, and founder of Plant with Purpose, today announced he is suspending his campaign and enthusiastically endorsing Republican candidate Steve Hilton. In a joint video recorded last week, Woodard stated: “I’m really happy to be endorsing Steve Hilton for governor today. After a hard run, I realized that a Libertarian doesn’t have a chance except to align ourselves with the one person who can change California governance for good, and that’s Steve Hilton; and I hardly endorse him and encourage all Libertarians, who hear this, to endorse him as well.”

Hilton added, “We’ve got to cut back this bloated nanny-state, bureaucratic government bossing us around from morning ‘til evening, telling us how to live, how to run our businesses, how to raise our kids, what kind of house to live (in), what kind of car to drive, how to cook our food—endless interference from government has to stop!”

Woodard, a longtime advocate for practical environmental stewardship, limited government, and economic freedom, cited Steve Hilton’s bold vision — including the Smart Conservation Revival plan featuring the California Conservation Corps Alliance — as the best path forward for California. “California is drowning in bureaucracy, runaway costs, wildfires, and failed top-down policies,” Woodard said. “Steve Hilton is now the only candidate with a real plan to restore freedom, properly manage our natural lands, reduce wildfire risk, lower energy and housing costs, and deliver visible results for working families. Aligning with him is the most effective way to advance liberty and practical solutions.” Steve Hilton responded: “Freedom lovers unite! Tom Woodard is a principled fighter for limited government and real environmental stewardship. I’m honored by his endorsement and excited to work together to fix California.” This cross-party alignment underscores a growing coalition focused on practical governance over strict ideology, redirecting resources toward natural carbon sequestration, forest restoration, wildfire prevention, and economic relief without new taxes or burdensome mandates.

About Tom Woodard: Woodard is the founder of Plant with Purpose, an organization that has planted tens of millions of trees worldwide through community-driven restoration. As a Libertarian candidate, he has championed Smart Conservation Revival, abundant energy and water policies, and the slashing of regulatory burdens on California families.

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