RivCo Sheriff, Pro-Trump Lightning Rod To Run For CA Governor: Report

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco appears to be in the running for the California Governor race in 2026, Politico is reporting.

An invitation was extended through Eventbrite regarding Bianco and a "major announcement," planned for the Avila's 1929 at 3252 Mission Inn Avenue in Riverside Monday. The event promises attendees "the chance to be a part of something big. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco will be making a major announcement."

Bianco has flirted with the idea of running for governor since April. The longstanding sheriff has sought to build a reputation as being strict on issues of crime and punishment and hopes to ride the wave of like-minded voters.

In the 2024 election, the state tilted rightward on criminal justice issues. Most notably, voters chose to increase penalties for certain drug and theft crimes with the passage of Proposition 36, which Bianco helped champion. At that time, Bianco said the overwhelming support for Prop 36 reflected the public's frustration with the "direction of the state Legislature and politicians who have caused this issue."

Whether Bianco could win in a state that hasn't elected a Republican to statewide office in almost two decades remains unknown. However, an early announcement may help him quickly consolidate the support of California's conservative voters.

He believes his department thwarted a Trump assassination -attempt at a Coachella rally in October. Sheriff Bianco said that a Las Vegas resident drove into the VIP parking lot near the stage carrying a loaded handgun and shotgun. “I truly do believe that we prevented another assassination attempt," Bianco said after the incident.

Shortly thereafter, the 49-year-old suspect was released "without incident. The U.S. Secret Service confirmed that Trump was never in danger, and that the arrest did not warrant concern. A defamation lawsuit was filed, accusing the sheriff of "intentionally, maliciously and with a blatant disregard for the truth, wanted to create a narrative so as to be viewed as a 'heroic' sheriff who saved presidential candidate Trump from a third assassination attempt."

Bianco has been a vocal supporter of the Trump administration, and he has said he is ready to work around state law to step up immigration enforcement during the largest deportation program in American history.

“I will do everything in my power to make sure I keep the residents of Riverside County safe,” Bianco said to KTTV-TV in November. “If that involves working somehow around (California’s sanctuary law) with ICE so we can deport these people victimizing us and our residents, you can be 100% sure I’m going to do that.”

One year ago, Bianco appeared in a video on Instagram his uniform supporting "putting a felon in the White House," endorsing then-candidate Donald Trump for President. "I'm all in," said Bianco, further hinting at his future potential run for California governor in 2026. "Trump 2024, baby. Let's save this country and make America great again."

Bianco wore his county law enforcement uniform while lashing out at state leaders, particularly Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, over what he calls their "love for criminals."

Bianco said in the video that the state leaders might be "on to something," so he's decided to "change teams" by backing a felon for president. It was not clear whether Bianco was on duty at the time the video was made.

In January 2023, Bianco was sworn into a second term in office. That four-year term has been extended to 2028 thanks to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who signed off on Assembly Bill 759. The law mandates that elections for California's sheriffs and district attorneys be held in the same years as U.S. presidential contests.

If Bianco does make a gubernatorial run, he could face several Democratic heavy-hitters, such as former Vice President Kamala Harris who instructed her advisers to keep her options open, according to Politico. Newsom terms out in 2027 and cannot run, but Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus Toni G. Atkins (San Diego), Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and vice chair of the California Democratic Party/former state Controller Betty Yee, have launched campaigns. Former Rep. Katie Porter could also enter that race.

Though former Attorney General Rob Bonta said in 2023 he is "seriously considering" seeking the governorship, he has recently said that he would "clear the field for other candidates."

The GOP has lost the last three gubernatorial elections by nearly 20 percentage points or more and has not won a statewide office in California since 2006.

A person familiar with Bianco's plans told Politico that if Bianco runs for governor in 2026, he would likely "organize his campaign around one overarching theme: “Public safety. Public safety. Public safety."

Read also:

CA Sheriff Endorses Trump: 'It's Time We Put A Felon In The White House'

Sheriff Chad Bianco's Possible Run For CA Governor: 'Kind Of A Maybe'

RivCo Officials Detail Crime-Busting Consequences Of Prop. 36

Trump Rally Arrest May Have Prevented Assassination Attempt: Sheriff

Trump Wants To Deport Immigrants Accused Of Crimes. CA Sheriffs Could Make That Easy