Who is Chad Bianco? What to know about the California governor candidate
Daniella SeguraWith California's June primary nearing, voters will soon decide which two gubernatorial candidates will face off in November's general election.
Here’s a clear, factual look at who Chad Bianco is, what he stands for, and how his record compares — designed to help readers make informed decisions.
Who is Chad Bianco?
- Age: 58
- Party: Republican
- Current role: Riverside County Sheriff
- Home region: Woodcrest, Riverside County
- First entered politics: 2014, with his first Riverside County Sheriff run
Bianco, who was elected Riverside County Sheriff in 2018 and has worked in law enforcement for more than 30 years, is running for California governor on a platform focused on a law-and-order and anti-regulation.
Background and career
- Education: University of Utah
- Professional background: Riverside County Sheriff since 2019. He previously served as a Riverside County deputy for 31 years.
- Political experience:
- Riverside County sheriff since 2019
- Notable accomplishments:
- When Bianco was elected in 2018, he defeated longtime Sheriff Stan Sniff, ending a more-than-decade-long era of leadership. His win signaled voters' desire for a different approach to law enforcement. Bianco was reelected as sheriff in 2022, something he cites as showing voters' support of his emphasis on public safety, law enforcement support, and opposition to state policies.
Why Chad Bianco is running
Bianco has said he is vying for the governor's seat "to restore the California Dream for all." He believes, without ties to political interests in Sacramento, he can better serve Californians. Bianco says he has a "vision for a better California," which includes a focus on safer neighborhoods, stronger law enforcement, and the restoration of the state’s criminal justice system.
“I am running for governor because our beautiful state — which I absolutely love — is heading down the wrong track and has been for years," Bianco said in his campaign announcement in February 2025, ABC 7 News reported. "For decades the party in complete control of our state government has tried the same failed ideas and implemented the same failed policies. Californians want leadership that actually cares about the cost of living — and leaders who will do something about it. We want homes we can afford. We want air conditioning when it's hot, not rolling blackouts. We want water for the crops and animals that feed us. We want the opportunity to achieve the California Dream, not be prevented from it because of red tape and regulation from government."
Key policy positions
Economy and cost of living
- Bianco blames the "California exodus" on "decades of failed policies, over taxation, and regulations." To bolster the economy, Bianco calls for a reduction in taxes for working families and businesses and a halt to "the overregulation of California’s economy to support job growth and business."
- Bianco says that the inability to buy a home in California is the result of "government-created barriers." To address the issue, Bianco says he would focus on expediting approval for housing projects; eliminating the California Environmental Quality Act; incentivizing developers to build in the state; and ending overregulation in the building industry.
Housing and homelessness
- Bianco sees the state's homelessness issue as stemming from government ineffectiveness. "While there are certainly Californians who find themselves in hard times and without a home, the problem we see daily has been completely caused by our politicians and a failed social experiment," his campaign website says.
- Bianco takes an enforcement-focused approach to homelessness, saying he would encourage cities to clear homeless encampments and expedite the construction of emergency shelters and supportive housing.
Public safety and crime
- Bianco sees public safety as the top priority, saying, "Protecting our people is the government’s number one responsibility."
- On his campaign website, Bianco says he would put public safety first by ensuring law enforcement has adequate staffing and resources; defending law enforcement agencies against "defund the police" efforts; and investing in additional recruitment, training, and retention programs for law enforcement.
- Bianco also calls for reform to the justice system with stronger penalties for repeat violent offenders, as well as to "build the success of Prop 36 by continuing to restore penalties for serious crimes and ensure accountability for those who commit criminal acts."
Climate, water and energy
- Bianco believes California’s climate and energy policies are too costly. Bianco seeks to roll back environmental rules. He has also called on the state to "embrace innovative energy solutions that are driven by the market, such as hydrogen, geothermal, hydro, and nuclear."
- Bianco has called environmental activists “terrorists” and disputed climate change’s role in wildfires, according to The Los Angeles Times.
- Bianco believes "Democrats in California have failed to make investments in water infrastructure, and the entire state pays the price." To address the issue, Bianco says he would "modernize California’s aging water infrastructure" to help support California’s farmers and ranchers.
Immigration and border issues
- While Bianco says the state has historically been enriched by immigrants and their contributions, "the lack of border enforcement on the 140 miles that California shares with Mexico has created a humanitarian crisis that is neither compassionate nor sustainable." He believes the state must "work with the federal government in a bipartisan fashion to solve this issue once and for all."
- Bianco supports a "pathway to citizenship" for certain undocumented immigrants. He opposes California's sanctuary state laws, arguing they hamper ICE cooperation and protect criminal activity.
Education
- On his campaign website, Bianco says he believes the state's school system is failing. "Radical policies and social agendas from activists and bureaucrats have harmed our students," Bianco said.
- To address the failures he sees, Bianco said the state's education system should prioritize fundamental skills, support career-technical education, and encourage and expand access to high-performing charter schools.
- Bianco agrees with increased funding for "teacher training and recruitment programs to help with the widespread teacher shortage."
Election and campaign history
- Previous races:
- 2014 Riverside County Sheriff: Defeated by about a 26-point margin
- 2018 Riverside County Sheriff: Won with 56.5% of the vote
- 2022 Riverside County Sheriff: Won with 58.5% of the vote
- Fundraising:
- Total raised (from January 2025 through December 2025): $3.7 million
- Key endorsements:
- Ballot status:
- Qualified
What critics say
Bianco has been accused of engaging in political stunts, such as the 2026 seizure of 650,000 ballots. He has faced scrutiny for overseeing a jail system, where mortality rates are high, with some reports calling it one of the deadliest jail systems in the nation.
What supporters say
Bianco's supporters praise him for his "law and order" leadership and point to his decades of law enforcement experience as a basis for fixing state corruption and crime, often invoking the saying, "Only the sheriff can save us now."
What’s next in the race
- Upcoming deadlines: Primary election on Tuesday, June 2
- Next major events:
- Nexstar gubernatorial debate on Wednesday, April 22
- Governor debate at Pomona College on Tuesday, April 28
- CNN gubernatorial debate on Tuesday, May 5