Bianco becomes first major Republican to enter the 2026 race
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco announced on Monday that he would be running for Governor next year, becoming the first major Republican to join the race.
Speculation that Bianco, a longtime supporter of Donald Trump and longtime critic of Governor Gavin Newsom, would run has been rampant for months. Prior to last week, Bianco was only publicly expressing interest in becoming Governor. While a run was possible, so was Bianco finishing off his current term of Sheriff, which is currently set to end following the 2028 election. However, Bianco then said last week that he would be announcing his run on February 17th.
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On Monday, Sheriff Bianco followed through, announcing before over 1,500 supporters at Avila’s Historic 1929 in Riverside of his candidacy for Governor.
“I am running for Governor because our beautiful state – which I absolutely love – is heading down the wrong track and has been for years,” said Bianco during his speech on Monday. “Everyone knows it, except those sitting in the Sacramento echo chamber. For decades the party in complete control of our state government has tried the same failed ideas and implemented the same failed policies.
“Californians want leadership that actually cares about the cost of living… and leaders who will do something about it. We want homes we can afford. We want air conditioning when it’s hot, not rolling blackouts. We want water for the crops and animals that feed us. We want the opportunity to achieve the California Dream, not be prevented from it because of red tape and regulation from government. We want honesty and transparency from our elected officials. We want lower taxes and less government waste. We want sanity restored and common sense to prevail.
“Those currently in power are completely out of touch. But they are not out of reach. Californians deserve a change of direction in order to get our state back on track. I promise to campaign for Governor with everything I have. We will take our message of restoring sanity to every corner of our great state. Our campaign will succeed because it must succeed – the future of California and America depends on it.”
Bianco also later added remarks in a statement.
“This is not going to be about party politics, this is going to be about fixing a broken state to make this the state that everyone in the country wants to come to,” added the Sheriff. “I’m tired of my friends leaving the state. I’m tired of watching my friend’s kids leave the state. We need to bring them all back with sanity and the promise that California is and once again will be the best state in this country.
“Today we fire up the machine that will restore the promise to all Californians that the dream is still alive. As I watched over the past year or so as career politicians, millionaires and billionaires have positioned themselves as the governor-elect position of 2026, I realized that we are blindly continuing down this path of destruction. The same people responsible for the past 20 years of failed government all want the top position.”
During his speech in Riverside, Bianco was flanked by several lawmakers, showing early significant backing. This included Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA), Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta), Assemblymembers Greg Wallis (R-Bermuda Dunes), Jeff Gonzalez (R-Coachella), Leticia Castillo (R-Riverside) Bill Essayli (R-Corona) and Riverside District Attorney Michael Hestrin.
HALLELUJAH!!!! Someone who loves this country and its people!!!! WOW!!!! The antithesis of Newscum!!!!
Newscum – put that in your pipe and smoke it.