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

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is not ruling out a run for governor of California in 2026.

In an interview Tuesday with News Channel 3, the sheriff said the gubernatorial race is "kind of a maybe."

The news outlet caught up with Bianco following several news articles claiming the sheriff is mulling a bid.

An April 11 Politico Pro piece ran with the headline, "Firebrand sheriff and Fox News favorite considering run for California governor." In the story, a political adviser for Bianco said the sheriff has been approached in recent months by "a number of elected officials and leaders" about jumping into the race.

Riverside County conservatives have shown support for the regular swipes Bianco takes at California Democrats. The sheriff became a national GOP darling when he refused to enforce COVID restrictions, and he has continued to garner favor with his hard-right brand of political messaging.

Still, Bianco was noncommital during the News Channel 3 interview about a possible gubernatorial run.

"I haven't decided that and I can't say yes or no right now to anything," Bianco said. "Those are long detailed discussions that I'll have to have with my wife, with my family, and really with the men and women of the Riverside County Sheriff's Office because I do believe that I'm here for a reason."

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 would face several Democratic heavy-hitters. 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.

Attorney General Rob Bonta said last year he is "seriously considering" seeking the governorship.

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.

During his News Channel 3 interview, Bianco made sure to campaign on another issue: Prop. 47.

The sheriff has repeatedly blasted the law and said Californians "must stand up" to repeal it. Passed by Golden State voters in 2014, Prop. 47 makes some non-violent property crimes misdemeanors as long as theft is under $950.

A proposed statewide ballot measure called the "Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act" aims to overhaul the law. If passed, the measure would allow felony prosecution for repeat theft convictions.

The California District Attorney's Association conceived the proposal. Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin, a close ally of Bianco, is the current association president.

The proposal is currently moving through the state's Elections Code process and appears likely to be on the November ballot.