Written by Matthew Caldwell.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has officially jumped into the 2026 California governor’s race, positioning himself as a conservative law-and-order candidate determined to reverse what he calls decades of Democratic mismanagement. Standing before a crowd of supporters in Riverside, the 58-year-old sheriff painted a bleak picture of a state in crisis, where rising prices, rampant crime, and homelessness have left residents struggling.
“What have they given us?” Bianco asked, listing issues like soaring taxes, fentanyl deaths, and a broken insurance market. “Californians deserve better.”
With signs reading “California is home. You don’t have to move,” many in attendance echoed Bianco’s frustration. He emphasized his determination to stop the mass exodus of residents leaving for states with lower costs of living and safer communities.
A Republican Challenger in a Deep Blue State
Bianco is now the most prominent Republican to enter the race to replace Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited. While he faces long odds in a state where only about 25% of registered voters are Republican, Bianco insists his campaign is not about party politics but about fixing California’s deep-rooted problems.
“I have to be a Republican because they make us register as something,” he told reporters, making it clear that his focus is on policy, not partisan loyalty. His track record as sheriff has made him a well-known critic of Newsom and the state’s Democratic-controlled legislature. His refusal to enforce COVID-19 vaccine mandates for his department put him in the national spotlight, as did his vocal support for Proposition 36, which strengthened penalties for theft and fentanyl-related crimes.
Bianco celebrated the passage of the measure, noting that California voters overwhelmingly supported it despite Democratic leaders’ efforts to keep it off the ballot. “They tried their best to stop you from forcing them to do what was right,” he said.
Fighting Crime and Illegal Immigration
Bianco has built his reputation as a tough-on-crime leader, aligning himself with conservative figures on key law enforcement issues. Last year, he joined other sheriffs nationwide in backing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ strict immigration policies, including the transportation of illegal immigrants to sanctuary cities.
However, Bianco recently dismissed rumors that his department was assisting with immigration raids at schools and churches, clarifying that while his deputies won’t participate in such operations, he will work within California’s sanctuary state laws to help federal immigration officials remove criminals from jails.
Public safety remains a cornerstone of his campaign, with Bianco arguing that lax policies have led to an explosion in crime, drug overdoses, and homelessness. His stance resonates with voters like Pam Nusser, a Riverside resident who said she backed him after he refused to enforce COVID-19 shutdown orders on businesses, including her barbecue restaurant.
“He can’t be intimidated, and he can’t be bought,” Nusser said.
The Road Ahead
With nearly a year and a half until the primary election, the race is still in its early stages, and the field is growing. On the Democratic side, candidates include Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, state schools chief Tony Thurmond, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former state Senate leader Toni Atkins. Other high-profile Democrats, such as former U.S. Representative Katie Porter and ex-Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, are also rumored to be considering a run.
One major wildcard remains: former Vice President Kamala Harris. If Harris enters the race, she would instantly overshadow the current Democratic contenders. Bianco, however, welcomes the challenge. “To run against her and her history in California? I’d welcome that,” he said.
On the Republican side, Bianco could face competition from conservative commentator Steve Hilton and former state Senator Brian Dahle, who lost to Newsom in 2022. Still, Bianco’s name recognition and law enforcement background may give him an edge in a GOP primary.
Our Take
California has been on a downward spiral for years under Democratic leadership, and Bianco is tapping into the growing frustration felt by residents tired of rising crime, high taxes, and a crumbling economy. His strong stance on law and order, coupled with his willingness to push back against progressive policies, makes him a formidable candidate.
However, the road ahead is steep. California’s electorate leans heavily Democratic, and the media will undoubtedly scrutinize Bianco’s record, especially his past affiliation with the Oath Keepers. While he has distanced himself from the group, expect his opponents to weaponize it against him.
Still, Bianco’s candidacy presents an opportunity for Republicans to put forward a clear alternative to the policies that have driven people out of the state in droves. The question is whether enough voters are ready to break from the status quo.
