Polling Average
20%15%10%5%0%
12.5%
17.1%
13.2%
11.3%
11.1%
10.6%
5.1%
California Governor primary: 1st place
$5.7M
JUN 2, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleSheriff
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age58 years old (Oct 9, 1967)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundLaw enforcement officer
EducationSan Bernardino Sheriff’s Academy (1993; graduated top of class)
Notable personal detailsChad Bianco is an American law enforcement officer who has served as the elected Sheriff, Coroner, and Public Administrator of Riverside County, California since 2019, after winning the November 6, 2018 general election and being re-elected in June 2022. He previously served for decades with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department after graduating from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Academy. He is a Republican candidate for Governor of California in the 2026 election.
SourcesShowHide
riversidesheriff.orgbiancoforgovernor.comen.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgturncali.comlatimes.comtransparencyusa.orges.wikipedia.orgfactually.cotakebackca.comkpbs.orgopencampaign.comnbclosangeles.comapnews.comthedailybeast.comcaled.orgelections.cdn.sos.ca.govsandiegopost.comagnetwest.combreitbart.comcvindependent.comiheart.comhsjchronicle.comcalonews.comcaliforniafamily.orgaol.compeoplefor.orgfoxla.comcrpa.orgpolitico.compresidentialdaily.orgreddit.comsfchronicle.comwashingtonpost.comballotready.orgcohen.house.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgfec.govncsl.orgcongress.govnga.orgjudiciary.senate.govtakano.house.govmcconnell.senate.govcalvert.house.govgovinfo.govdocquery.fec.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate supports major tax cuts including abolishing California’s state income tax and cutting taxes for working families and businesses, and favors reducing regulation on the economy to promote job growth and lower energy costs.
Healthcare
Supports limiting public provision of healthcare to undocumented immigrants and emphasizes personal choice over government vaccine mandates; favors using treatment and mental-health responses for homelessness but frames these as targeted interventions rather than expansion of universal coverage. Positions emphasize reducing government-imposed public-health requirements and restoring market/individual decision-making in health matters.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate calls for securing the border, ending sanctuary policies, prioritizing deportation of violent criminals, and combating drug and human trafficking, while also supporting guest worker programs and a federal path to citizenship for law‑abiding residents. Public statements and actions also show enforcement-focused measures (opposition to California sanctuary policies and cooperation with federal removal of criminal noncitizens) alongside limited pathways for lawful workers.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate opposes policies expanding abortion access and has publicly criticized abortion-rights protests and legislation he described as allowing infanticide, framing such measures as unacceptable. His public remarks emphasize Christian values and law enforcement responses in the context of abortion-related events.
Climate & Energy
Supports market-driven energy solutions and grid modernization, prioritizes keeping Diablo Canyon nuclear plant operational, and emphasizes lowering energy costs and holding regulators accountable. Has criticized state renewable policies such as installing solar on productive farmland and questioned links between climate change and California wildfires. Focuses on protecting agriculture and preferring energy options like nuclear, hydrogen, geothermal, and hydro over aggressive regulatory approaches to emissions.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports strong Second Amendment rights and opposes new firearm restrictions while defending law enforcement funding and tougher criminal penalties. Criticizes recent California gun-control proposals as anti–gun ownership and frames his public-safety agenda around resourcing police and prioritizing victims over criminals.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Chad Bianco is emerging as a top contender in the early 2026 California governor primary polling, often running near the front with around 11–14% support. Some recent polling shows Rep. Eric Swalwell narrowly leading, while Bianco remains in a tight pack with Steve Hilton, Tom Steyer, and Katie Porter. Because Democrats are split across many candidates, several reports say the state’s top-two primary could allow two Republicans—often cited as Hilton and Bianco—to advance to the general election.
riversidesheriff.org+46
Articles
WWJLA3 months ago
Rep. Eric Swalwell takes lead in open primary for California governor: poll
Neutral
NNewsmax3 months ago
Poll: Swalwell Tops Wide-Open Calif. Governor Race
Neutral
NYNew York Post3 months ago
How eight Democrats add up to two Republicans
Positive
WEWashington Examiner3 months ago
Pelosi and Newsom may need to end state 'circular firing squad' for November
Positive
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising