Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco Set to Announce Run for Governor in 2026
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is reportedly preparing to announce his candidacy for Governor in California’s 2026 Gubernatorial election, according to multiple sources. His formal announcement is expected to take place on Monday, February 17th.
Bianco, a longtime supporter of former President Donald Trump, has served in the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department since 1993. He was elected Sheriff in 2018, defeating Stan Sniff with over 58% of the vote. Bianco gained national attention in 2020 when he refused to enforce COVID-19 restrictions, drawing the support of conservative media outlets like Fox News. In 2022, Bianco was reelected with over 60% of the vote, despite scrutiny over a high number of inmate deaths in Riverside County jails. He was also instrumental in the passage of Proposition 36, which toughened state laws on theft and drug offenses.
Most recently, Bianco has become a vocal critic of California's SB 54 sanctuary law, which limits local law enforcement’s cooperation with ICE. He’s called for increased local law enforcement collaboration with federal immigration authorities to help address criminal activity.
Bianco has emphasized that while the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department will not be involved in immigration enforcement, they will work with ICE to remove criminals from local jails within the boundaries of California’s sanctuary laws.
With his gubernatorial bid, Bianco will be the first major Republican to officially announce their candidacy for the 2026 race. Other Republicans in the running include Leo Zacky, Vice President of Zacky Farms, former judge Jimmy Parker, and business consultant Sharifah Hardie. Bianco stands out in this group as the only one to have achieved electoral success.
Other GOP figures, such as State Senator Brian Dahle, former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner, and Fox News Host Steve Hilton, are also expected to make their decisions soon. Meanwhile, the Democratic field is crowded with contenders including Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, Senator Toni Atkins, former State Controller Betty Yee, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Other potential Democratic candidates, like former Congresswoman Katie Porter and Vice President Kamala Harris, have yet to confirm their plans.
Bianco's entry into the race could energize Republican voters, especially after the strong performance of the GOP in the 2024 elections. Pollster Stephanie Lewis noted that with a crowded Democratic field, the GOP is likely to secure one of the two top spots in the primary. The question, she adds, is whether Bianco’s right-wing stance could challenge the eventual Democratic candidate, or if the GOP might need a more moderate contender to gain traction.
“Bianco entering the race should excite some Republicans,” Lewis said. “His announcement would signal that the GOP is not backing down, and with the growing support among Hispanic voters, this could be a critical moment for the party.”
Bianco’s impending announcement has drawn mixed reactions, but it will be a key moment in what promises to be a competitive and closely watched race for California’s next governor.
