Republicans criticize California GOP governor nominee Hilton's ad featuring female Gen Z voters

A campaign ad by California GOP gubernatorial nominee Steve Hilton that appears to attempt to appeal to potential young and liberal swing voters is sparking backlash from fellow state Republicans.

The online ad, titled “Just Try It, California,” shows two young women, each with facial piercings, neon-hued highlights and heavy glam makeup, sitting on a bed in a darkened room – with a Pride flag behind them. 

One of them is wearing an anti-President Trump "Resist" T-shirt and says she can’t believe what she’s about to do. The other strokes her hair and tells her not to be nervous about her decision, which turns out to be voting for Hilton.

Hilton and the 52-second ad, full of sexual innuendo, are "a clear example of exactly why good people are walking away from the Republican Party,” Sonja Shaw, the GOP candidate for state superintendent of public instruction, said on social media. She also calling the 52-second ad, posted Friday and that as of Tuesday had 166,000 views, “creepy, weird, disturbing garbage.”

Michael Gates, the party’s attorney general candidate, also denounced the ad, accusing Hilton of using “young women as political tools” and saying “California families deserve better," according to The New York Times. 

Hilton trails Democratic gubernatorial nominee Xaiver Becerra by nearly 22 points, in the deep Blue state, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average.