Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a conservative firebrand known for his views on law and order and his fierce criticism of Gov. Gavin Newsom, is considering a run for governor in 2026.
Bianco, who was first elected sheriff in 2018 after a decades-long career with the Riverside County Sheriff's Office, has not formally announced his candidacy. However, he told The Times in an interview Friday that he is discussing with his family a run for the state's highest office.
“I live in the perfect place. I have the perfect job and I would do it for the next 40 years if people kept choosing me here in Riverside County,” Bianco said. “So it's very important for me to decide to just give up. The increasing number of people trying to convince me to do this is a ringing in my ear that, frankly, has given me something to think about.”
The sheriff, who has not been shy about calling attention to what he sees as deficiencies in the state's public safety laws, had a viral moment this month when he posted a tongue-in-cheek video on Instagram endorsing Donald Trump's presidential campaign. In it, the sheriff, sitting in a car and dressed in his uniform, jokes that after years of criticizing policies that have closed prisons or reduced prison sentences, he is “going to change teams.”
“I think it's time we put a criminal in the White House,” he deadpanned. “Trump 2024, baby. Let's save this country and make America great again.”
Critics criticized him for defending a candidate while wearing a taxpayer-funded uniform.
State Superintendent. Department of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, who is running for governor, called for an investigation into Bianco's actions and accused him of violating a state law that prohibits officials or employees of local agencies from participating in political activities while in uniform.
“We can't afford to have a criminal in the White House or a governor who doesn't respect the law,” Thurmond said in a video posted on X. On Friday, Thurmond challenged Bianco to a debate “on the issues, from [Bianco’s] misuse of taxpayer funds to the myriad challenges facing the people of California.”
Bianco told the Times that he “does not regret” posting the video and was dismayed that his critics did not address the first part of it, in which he points out the public safety challenges facing the state.
“It's shocking that the only thing that draws attention is me saying I support Trump. “It is the epitome of the failure of the political system,” Bianco said. “Everyone just wants to talk about what they want and avoid the disaster they are a part of or have caused.”
In 2021, Bianco made headlines for promising not to enforce vaccination mandates for Sheriff's Department employees, saying he believes vaccination is a personal choice.
A month later, Bianco faced scrutiny after it was revealed through a data leak that in 2014 he was a member of the Oath Keepers, a far-right anti-government group whose ranks participated in the 2014 insurrection at the US Capitol. . January 6, 2021. At the time, he said in a statement that “like many other law enforcement officers and veterans who were members, I learned that the group offered me nothing and that is why I did not remain a member.”
Last year, Bianco was part of a coalition of 90 sheriffs across the country who publicly endorsed the tough stance on border security taken by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination.
More recently, Bianco has appeared on television to advocate for an initiative called the Theft, Drug Addiction and Homelessness Reduction Act, which seeks to change Proposition 47, the 2014 ballot measure that reduced some non-property crimes. violent and simple drug possession to minor crimes. The bill would toughen penalties for retail theft and require drug treatment for those charged with possession.
A coalition of California sheriffs, the Riverside County Republican Party and several current and former legislators have called on Bianco to run for governor.
Former state Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, who leads a group called the “Draft Bianco coalition,” said in a statement this week that running for sheriff would provide a “real alternative” for California voters.
“In the face of Sacramento's failures on issues like crime and homelessness, Sheriff Bianco's leadership has been an example for other communities across the state to follow,” Hollingsworth said.
Bianco would be the first high-profile Republican to enter the crowded race to succeed Newsom, who is set to step down in 2027. In addition to Thurmond, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, state Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and former state Gov. La Controller Betty Yee has announced her candidacy.
“I don't want to be just the Republican running for governor. “I want to be the leader that people want to fix this state,” Bianco said. “And if I can mentally get to a point where I believe California wants a leader to fix the state, then I will make the decision to do it.”
