RivCo Sheriff Chad Bianco Is Being Sued For His Uniform. Here's Why

RIVERSIDE, CA — Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has been accused of breaking the law in a newly filed lawsuit and in an opinion article published recently.

Bianco, who is running as a Republican in California's gubernatorial race to succeed termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom, is being sued by Democratic opponent Stephen J. Cloobeck.

The sheriff was also put on blast in an opinion article posted this week in the Desert Sun: "Chad Bianco is breaking the law. He should know better."

The lawsuit, filed Aug. 19 in Riverside Superior Court, accuses the sheriff of "abusing his position" by violating a campaign finance law because he has worn his official sheriff's uniform at campaign events.

Cloobeck is also vying for Newsom's open seat next year.

According to state law (Government Code Section 3206), public officials and employees of local agencies are prohibited from wearing their uniforms while engaged in political activities.

Cloobeck's lawsuit says Bianco "repeatedly and brazenly" campaigned for governor while wearing his sheriff's uniform.

The lawsuit further asserts that by wearing his uniform while campaigning, Bianco is creating "a danger of voter and donor confusion, and the potential for coercion and undue influence of other officers and employees of Riverside County and elsewhere."

The presence of Bianco in his uniform at such events could also intimidate voters and those who "might be reluctant to oppose or contravene an acting Sheriff with considerable law enforcement resources at his disposal," according to the lawsuit.

Stephen J. Cloobeck Lawsuit against Chad Bianco by jhorseman

Cloobeck and his legal team are seeking a court order to bar Bianco from wearing his uniform further while campaigning for governor.

Last year, Bianco similarly came under fire when he endorsed President Donald Trump in his uniform in a video posted to Facebook.

"I think it's time we put a felon in the White House," the Sheriff said straight-faced.

Bianco has since defended wearing his uniform.

According to the Press-Enterprise, Bianco addressed his choice of outfit in a TV interview.

“I’m an elected official,” he said, according to the newspaper. “And with that, in my personal pages, I can do anything that I want. There is only one sheriff’s uniform, and that’s mine.”

An August Emerson College poll shows Bianco trailing Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton and Democrat Katie Porter.

READ MORE: Riverside County Sheriff Blasts Oversight Of His Office

With former Vice President Kamala Harris out of the race, Porter is the Democrats' new frontrunner, garnering support ranging from 12 to 18 percent since Emerson ran its last poll in April.

Meanwhile, Hilton, who was not in the race in April, has a lead of 12 percent while Bianco holds 7 percent.

Californians will decide on their top two candidates for governor during the June 2, 2026, primary election. The top two winners will advance to the November general election.