Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a conservative firebrand recognized for law-and-order views and fierce criticism of Gov. Gavin Newsom, is contemplating a run for governor in 2026.
Bianco, who was first elected as sheriff in 2018 following a decades-long profession on the Riverside County Sheriff’s Workplace, hasn’t formally introduced his candidacy. Nevertheless, he instructed The Occasions in an interview Friday that he’s discussing together with his household a run for the state’s prime job.
“I dwell within the good place. I’ve the proper job, and I might do that for the subsequent 40 years if folks would preserve electing me right here in Riverside County,” Bianco mentioned. “So it is a enormous factor for me to resolve to only quit. The rising variety of folks which might be making an attempt to persuade me to do it is a bug in my ear that, fairly frankly, has given me one thing to consider.”
The sheriff, who has not been shy about calling consideration to what he sees as deficiencies in statewide public security legal guidelines, had a viral second this month when he posted a tongue-in-cheek video on Instagram endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential marketing campaign. In it, the sheriff, sitting in a automotive carrying his uniform, jokes that after years of being vital of insurance policies which have closed prisons or diminished jail sentences, he’s “going to alter groups.”
“I feel it’s time we put a felon within the White Home,” he deadpanned. “Trump 2024, child. Let’s save this nation and make America nice once more.”
Critics referred to as him out for advocating for a candidate whereas carrying a taxpayer-funded uniform.
State Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, who’s working for governor, referred to as for an investigation into Bianco’s actions and accused him of breaking a state regulation that prohibits officers or staff of native companies from taking part in political actions whereas in uniform.
“We will’t afford to have a legal within the White Home or a governor who doesn’t observe the regulation,” Thurmond mentioned in a video posted on X. On Friday, Thurmond challenged Bianco to a debate “in regards to the points, from [Bianco’s] misuse of taxpayer funds to the myriad of challenges dealing with the folks of California.”
Bianco instructed The Occasions he has “zero regrets” about posting the video and was dismayed that his detractors failed to deal with the primary portion of it, during which he factors out the general public security challenges dealing with the state.
“It’s surprising that the one factor that may garner consideration is me saying I assist Trump. It’s the epitome of the failure of the political system,” Bianco mentioned. “Everybody simply needs to speak about what they need to discuss and keep away from the catastrophe they’re a part of or that they’ve induced.”
In 2021, Bianco grabbed headlines for vowing to not implement vaccine mandates for Sheriff’s Division staff, saying he believes vaccination is a private alternative.
A month later, Bianco confronted scrutiny after it was revealed by means of an information leak that in 2014 he was a dues-paying member of the Oath Keepers, a far-right, anti-government group whose ranks participated within the revolt on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. On the time, he mentioned in an announcement that “like many different regulation enforcement officers and veterans who had been members, I discovered the group didn’t supply me something and so I didn’t proceed membership.”
Final yr, Bianco was amongst a coalition of 90 sheriffs throughout the nation who publicly endorsed the powerful stance on border safety taken by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination.
Extra not too long ago, Bianco has appeared on tv information retailers to champion an initiative referred to as the Homelessness, Drug Dependancy and Theft Discount Act, which seeks to change Prop. 47, the 2014 poll measure that diminished some nonviolent property crimes and easy drug possession to misdemeanors. The initiative would toughen penalties for retail theft and require drug remedy for these charged with possession.
A coalition of sheriffs throughout California, the Republican Celebration of Riverside County and various present and former lawmakers have referred to as on Bianco to run for governor.
Former State Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, who’s main a bunch referred to as the “Draft Bianco coalition,” mentioned in an announcement this week that the sheriff’s candidacy would offer a “actual various” for California voters.
“Within the face of Sacramento’s failures on points like crime and homelessness, Sheriff Bianco’s management has been an instance for different communities to observe throughout the state,” Hollingsworth mentioned.
Bianco can be the primary high-profile Republican to enter the crowded race to succeed Newsom, who phrases out in 2027. Along with Thurmond, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, State Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and former state Controller Betty Yee have introduced their candidacies.
“I don’t need to be simply the Republican working for governor. I need to be the chief that individuals need to repair this state,” Bianco mentioned. “And if I can get mentally to a degree the place I consider that California needs a pacesetter to repair the state, then I’ll make the choice to do it.”
