On Monday, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco formally announced he will run for governor of California.
RIVERSIDE, CA — Today – in front of more than 1,500 supporters – Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (R) announced that he will run for Governor of California.
In his announcement speech, Sheriff Bianco stated:
“I am running for Governor because our beautiful state – which I absolutely love – is heading down the wrong track and has been for years. Everyone knows it, except those sitting in the Sacramento echo chamber. For decades the party in complete control of our state government has tried the same failed ideas and implemented the same failed policies.
“Californians want leadership that actually cares about the cost of living… and leaders who will do something about it. We want homes we can afford. We want air conditioning when it’s hot, not rolling blackouts. We want water for the crops and animals that feed us. We want the opportunity to achieve the California Dream, not be prevented from it because of red tape and regulation from government. We want honesty and transparency from our elected officials. We want lower taxes and less government waste. We want sanity restored and common sense to prevail.
“Those currently in power are completely out of touch. But they are not out of reach.
“Californians deserve a change of direction in order to get our state back on track. I promise to campaign for Governor with everything I have. We will take our message of restoring sanity to every corner of our great state.
“Our campaign will succeed because it must succeed – the future of California and America depends on it.”
From his Speech Today:
“It is absolutely wonderful to see so many people out here who have come out to support, I think the possibility of today’s announcement has lit a fire of hope amongst a whole bunch of people,” said Bianco. “I realized today we have a microcosm of California here, we have law enforcement, we have fireman, elected officials, leaders from our tribal nations, construction workers, doctors, teachers, nurses, students, business owners, real estate professionals, farmers, pastors, a few retired friends, this crowd represents all aspects of our beautiful state.”
He said he saw no one from special interest groups that were destroying California.
“I am here to announce our campaign to be the next governor of California,” said Bianco saying the state has been headed down the wrong track for years. ” Everyone knows it except for those sitting in an echo chamber in Sacramento.”
He noted the party in control for decades have tried the same failed ideas and same failed policies that haven’t worked.
“We have to be brutally honest during this campaign that includes those in the media. It is only our Democratic elected officials who are responsible for the decline of California,” said Bianco. “What is it that they have given us? Rampant crime, higher taxes, highest cost of living in our nation, tent encampments in every major city, more fentanyl deaths, more catastrophic fires, a broken homeowners insurance market and people across our state are struggling to afford groceries and gas. Californians deserve better.”
He continued, over the past 36 he worked to achieve and live his “California Dream”, however, for his kids destructive policies, peoples agendas, government overreach and policies, radical activism and special interest have turned the California Dream into a nightmare for millions.
“Today we fire up the machine that will restore the promise to all Californian’s that the dream is still alive,” said Bianco noting if you turn on the news the only thing positive going for the state is the weather.
He questioned why the rise in crime, cost of living, price of food, gas, electricity, over-regulation, failed education system, non-existent or failed infrastructure, over taxation and reckless government spending are driving hard working Californians to other states.
He said career politicians and millionaires and billionaires are positions themselves for the position of governor in 2026 and the state was blindly continuing down the path of destruction
“The same people responsible for the past 20-yaers of failed government all want the top position,” said Bianco noting its all for selfish reasons, “wanting to be the first of this, first of that, highlighting the worst aspects of the woke culture. Its no longer about character or ability, leadership or what is worse, its not about California, its about them.”
He shared he believed California was in desperate need of a honest, ethical, and moral governor with integrity who is only interest is to serve all of California.
“I will be that governor,” said Bianco.
He shared as Sheriff of Riverside County he has helped lead the fight in Prop 36 to make crime illegal again in California. He said 70% of California stood up for common sense and demanded the restoration of the rule of law.
“70% is not a win, it is an absolute landslide and a mandate by all of California to our Sacramento politicians we have had enough,” stated Bianco. He added Prop 36 passed in every county across the state including Los Angeles and San Francisco.
He said Governor Gavin Newsom opposed Prop 36 and those in power in Sacramento opposed Prop 36 and others who are running for governor opposed Prop 36—while also trying to keep it off the ballot. He added most were responsible for Prop 47, AB 109, Prop 57 and many others that have contributed to the decline of public safety in California.
“They were wrong and Californian’s have sent them a message,” stated Bianco.
He said Governor Gavin Newsom opposed Prop 36 and those in power in Sacramento opposed Prop 36 and others who are running for governor opposed Prop 36—while also trying to keep it off the ballot. He added most were responsible for Prop 47, AB 109, Prop 57 and many others that have contributed to the decline of public safety in California.
“They were wrong and Californian’s have sent them a message,” stated Bianco. “We sent them a message we are tired of catch and release criminals. Tired of smash and grab robberies and retail theft threatening our businesses and killing our family members. Tired of billions upon billions spent on homelessness with nothing to show for it except more homelessness. They are tired of Sanctuary State policies that protect criminals rather than the vulnerable communities that they were meant to protect. Tired of lawlessness without consequence. Those in power not only created this issues by a failed agenda, they ignored these issues for years. California has stood up and said we have had enough.”
California wants the streets cleaned up, tent encampments gone and public safety restored with schools who are focused only on education—leaving the politics out of schools and allow parents to raise their children.
We want homes we can afford and air conditioning when it’s hot and not rolling blackouts along with water to fight fires. He said Californians want an opportunity for the American Dream, not battle red tape and lower taxes.
“We want sanity restored and common sense to remain,” said Bianco and a leader is needed to fix the state and say no to stand up to the insanity of special interest.
“Despite the lies, the attacks and the hit pieces by the Attorney General, activist groups and tabloid media, the state of California even commended and even recommended that every correctional institution in the state follow our lead in the safety and protection of our inmates,” said Bianco. “The opposition to our success is about lies, intimidation, manipulation and emotion. I will never be intimidated. Those in power are completely out of touch.”
He called on a change in direction to get the state back on track.
“This campaign will not be about the divide of the republicans and democrats. It will be about the common goal we all have for a better California,” said Bianco. “Our campaign will be about all Californians. We must elect a leader who will bring common sense back to our government.”
More on his campaign: www.biancoforgovernor.com
The state’s primary is June 2, 2026.
Biography
Chad Bianco was elected Sheriff, Coroner, and Public Administrator of Riverside County in the November 6, 2018, general election. In June 2022, he was re-elected to his second term. He is a thirty-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office. As Sheriff, he serves as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Riverside County.
Sheriff Bianco oversees the County’s five jail facilities, six court buildings, a civil bureau, the Coroner’s Bureau, Public Administrator’s Office, twelve patrol stations, seventeen contract cities, 4,200 dedicated employees and an operating budget of just over one billion dollars.
Sheriff Bianco is a member of the California State Coroners’ Association, National Sheriffs’ Association, Western States Sheriffs’ Association and is on the Board of Directors for the California State Sheriffs’ Association and Major County Sheriff’s of America Association.
Sheriff Bianco is married with four adult children, and four grandchildren. He and his wife, Denise, live in the Woodcrest area of Riverside. Sheriff Bianco believes in service above self, and hopes that his priorities of God, family, and service will provide meaningful guidance and direction as the Sheriff’s Office engages in an unprecedented change of culture to positively serve the residents of Riverside County.
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