NAPA, CA – Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is preparing to officially announce his candidacy for governor of California in 2026, according to sources familiar with his campaign. The announcement is expected to come on Monday, with Bianco seeking to position himself as a prominent conservative voice in the state’s upcoming gubernatorial race.
Bianco, who has been a vocal critic of Governor Gavin Newsom and California’s liberal policies, has built a reputation as a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump. He has frequently clashed with the state’s leadership on issues related to law enforcement, immigration, and criminal justice.
One of Bianco’s most controversial stances has been his outspoken opposition to California’s sanctuary state law, SB 54, which limits local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. While Bianco has made it clear that deputies under his command will not make immigration-related arrests, he has also criticized the law, calling it “dangerous” and vowing to fight for its reform. His comments have sparked debates over the balance between local control and federal immigration enforcement in California.
In addition to his stance on immigration, Bianco has advocated for tougher criminal justice policies. Last year, he threw his support behind Proposition 36, a ballot measure that aimed to increase penalties for theft and drug-related crimes. While the proposition received backing from law enforcement groups, it faced pushback from some opponents who argued that it would contribute to mass incarceration and place additional strain on California’s already-overburdened prison system.
Bianco’s criticisms of Governor Newsom have been a hallmark of his tenure as sheriff. He has lambasted Newsom’s leadership, particularly in relation to the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bianco publicly defied Newsom’s stay-at-home orders, stating that his department would not “be blackmailed, bullied, or used as muscle” to enforce the state’s restrictions. This defiance, coupled with his tough-on-crime stance, has earned Bianco a loyal following among conservatives but also generated significant controversy.
The sheriff’s national profile also grew following an arrest outside a Trump rally in Coachella Valley, where deputies took a man into custody on suspicion of gun charges. Bianco initially suggested that the arrest had foiled an assassination attempt on the former president, though federal officials later clarified that there was no indication of any threat to Trump’s safety.
As Bianco gears up for his gubernatorial campaign, he faces a competitive field of potential candidates, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, who recently announced he would not be running in 2026, and Vice President Kamala Harris, who has not yet confirmed her own plans. Bianco’s entry into the race signals a push from California’s conservative wing to challenge the state’s dominant liberal establishment.
With his record of defying state mandates and advocating for law enforcement reforms, Bianco is likely to position himself as a strong alternative to Newsom’s policies, framing his campaign around the values of personal freedom, tougher crime policies, and a more restrained role for state government in local affairs. As the 2026 race draws closer, Bianco’s announcement is sure to set the stage for an intense political battle in California.