Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco officially announced his candidacy for California governor on Monday.
Bianco, 57, made the expected announcement at the campaign opening match at the historic 1929 Event Center in Riverside. The event took a break from months of speculative chatter about the sheriff’s future plans. He is expected to be joined by his family and elected officials in several areas.
“I’m running for governor because our beautiful state, which I absolutely love, is down the wrong trajectory and has been there for years,” Bianco said. “Everyone knows that except for those sitting in the Sacramento Echo Room.”
The Republican candidate was joined by his family, elected officials from several regions, and hundreds of supporters.
“For decades, the party that fully controls our state government has tried the same failed ideas and implemented the same failed policies,” Bianco said. “Californians want leadership who cares about the cost of living – and leaders who do something about it. We want a home that we can afford. We don’t have a blackout, but when it’s hot. We want air conditioners. We want water for crops and animals that feed us. We want the opportunity to achieve our California dreams.
“We want honesty and transparency from our elected officials. We want lower taxes and reduced government waste. We want to restore our sanity and common sense. I want to win.
Bianco was the first elected sheriff in 2018, in support of the Riverside Sheriff’s Association, the Congressman’s Union. He had previously failed in 2014 against the then-Stanceniff.
Bianco has been involved in law enforcement for over 30 years. He is the county government’s highest elected official, netting a combined income of $593,518 in 2023, according to payroll calculations released by the California Department of Administration.
In an interview last April, the sheriff revealed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s regular disgust, saying, “We don’t agree with much of it.”
In November 2026, the candidate field is growing. Last year, Lt. Col. Eleni Kunarakis, along with all Democrats, announced her candidacy, along with former Los Angeles mayor and general assembly Antonio Villaraigoza and former state controller Betty Yi.
The GOP slate is not so sure, revealing that Bianco could be a major attraction on the Republican side.
The state primary election on June 2, 2026.
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