Republican Sheriff Bianco to Launch Gubernatorial Campaign in California
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a vocal supporter of former President Trump, is set to announce his candidacy for California governor in the 2026 election.
Bianco, a veteran law enforcement officer with over three decades of experience, has been a vocal critic of California’s Democratic leadership on issues of crime and punishment. He played a significant role in the passage of Proposition 36, a ballot measure that mandates stiffer penalties and longer sentences for certain drug and theft crimes.
Bianco’s candidacy will challenge incumbent Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who is facing term limits and a crowded field of challengers.
According to a source familiar with the campaign, Bianco is expected to announce his candidacy at a scheduled event on Monday in Riverside, California. The event will take place about 50 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is also rumored to be considering a run for California governor, but no official announcement has been made.
Harris, a California native who served as U.S. Senator and Attorney General before becoming Vice President, would be a formidable candidate in the Democratic primary. However, she may also be influenced by national ambitions and the possibility of running for President in 2028.
Other potential candidates for the Democratic nomination include Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former Rep. Katie Porter.
Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who previously served in Congress and as California Attorney General, is also seen as a potential contender.
On the Republican side, conservative commentator Steve Hilton is considering a run for governor.
In California, the top two finishers in a primary, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election. This could result in a competitive race between Bianco and a leading Democratic candidate in the 2026 election.
Bianco’s candidacy reflects the growing political polarization in California, where Republicans have struggled to win statewide office for nearly two decades.
The last Republican to win a statewide office in California was former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was re-elected in 2006.
