Sheriff announces he’s seeking governorship

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is seeking to become the next Governor of California. At a launch party for his Republican nomination, Monday, Feb. 17, Bianco said, “I am running for Governor of our beautiful state which I absolutely love because our head is heading down the wrong track and has been for years.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom has been elected twice and cannot run for re-election when his term expires in 2026.

Bianco enumerated the issues which he will address during the campaign. Blaming the current Democratic administration and legislature, Bianco listed rampant crime, higher taxes, a high cost-of-living, over regulation, tent encampments and broken home insurance policies.

Californians have a “. . . desperate need for moral and honest government with integrity, I will be that governor,” he promised. Then described his efforts and support to obtain the passage of Proposition 36 this past November.

As a long-term law enforcement officer, crime issues will be a prominent part of his campaign.

“I will send a message, we’re tired of catch and release of criminals, tired of smash and grab robberies and retail theft threatening our businesses and killing our family members,” he stressed. “We are tired of billions and billions spent on homelessness with nothing to show for it except more homelessness. We’re tired of lawlessness without consequences.”

The last Republican to be elected governor in California was Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006. Bianco is the first Republican to announce his entry for the Republican nomination for the 2026 gubernatorial race. Although the state media has suggested that Steve Hilton, former Fox News host, would seek the nomination.

However, there are several announced Democratic candidates including Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former state Senate President Pro-Tem Toni Atkins, former state Controller Betty Yee, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and businessman and philanthropist Stephen Cloobeck.

Bianco was born in 1967 at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah, the oldest of three boys, and moved to California in 1989.

According to his 2022 campaign site (www,chadbiancoforsheriff.com), his interest in law enforcement actually began as a teenager and he joined the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1993.

Bianco, 57, was elected County Sheriff in 2018, defeating the incumbent Sheriff, Stan Sniff. This was his second attempt to unseat Sniff. In 2014, he lost in the primary.

In 2018, Bianco was a Lieutenant of the Hemet Station when he ran for Sheriff and won with 58% of the votes and defeated Sniff by more than 100,000 votes.

In 2022, he easily beat his opponent with 60% of the vote in the June Primary and did not need to be on the November ballot.

“This campaign is not about the divide between Republicans and Democrats. It will be about the common goal we all have for a better California,” he said ending his announcement and beginning his campaign.

California’s gubernatorial primary is June 2, 2026.