Photo: Screenshot/Fox
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco confirmed rumors of a gubernatorial candidacy on Monday by officially announcing a bid for governor in California, becoming the first Republican in the state to do so ahead of the 2026 race.
“I think the possibility of today’s announcement has lit a fire of home amongst a whole bunch of people,” Bianco said during his announcement speech.
“I am running for governor of our beautiful state which I absolutely love because [we’re] heading down the wrong track, and it has been for years,” he continued. “Everyone knows it except for those sitting in that echo chamber in Sacramento.”
He slammed the “party in complete control of our government” for using failed policies over and over again.
“It is only our Democrat elected officials who are responsible for the decline of California,” Bianco added.
He fired off a list of statewide problems, including high prices, homelessness, a fentanyl crisis, and overregulation. Bianco acknowledged that he had come to California 36 years ago for a chance to live his “California Dream,” but that dream was now out of reach for his own children.
“Destructive policies, political agendas, government overreach and regulation, radical activism, and special interests have turned the California dream into a nightmare for millions of Americans,” he said.
Bianco emphasized his belief that California needed an “honest, ethical, and moral governor with integrity whose only interest is to serve ALL of Californians.”
“I will be that governor,” he promised.
Last week, rumors swirled that Bianco would soon throw his hat into the ring, even as other Democrat candidates like former Vice President Kamala Harris are floated as potential gubernatorial picks for the opposing party.
During the 2024 presidential election, Bianco strongly supported President Donald Trump’s campaign and even spoke at a Trump rally in Coachella, California.
Now that Bianco’s candidacy has been confirmed, it remains to be seen what other Republicans will join the race for the gubernatorial nomination, and whether Trump himself will consider lending his coveted endorsement to Bianco’s campaign.
