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Republican Sheriff Chad Bianco has emerged as a leading contender in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race, according to a recent Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll that places him second with 16% support, just behind fellow Republican Steve Hilton at 17%. Both Republicans are outpacing prominent Democrats, including Rep. Eric Swalwell and former Rep. Katie Porter, who each garnered 13% support.
As the sheriff of one of America’s largest counties, Bianco attributes his strong polling performance to growing public frustration with Democratic governance under Governor Gavin Newsom. “We’re leading in these polls because we are offering a better California,” Bianco told Fox News Digital. “We are offering a commonsense California, and it’s resonating with people.”
Bianco’s campaign centers on public safety concerns, arguing that California has prioritized criminals and undocumented immigrants over law-abiding citizens. He contends that after years under Newsom and decades of Democratic control, the state is “worse off than it ever has been,” with rising crime driving businesses away.
“It’s no longer a cost of doing business,” Bianco said of crime’s impact on California enterprises. “It’s driving them out of business.” He highlighted particular challenges facing agricultural communities, noting that farmers are “getting robbed blind, their equipment’s being stolen, their produce is being stolen.”
While some statistics indicate crime rates are declining, Bianco argues these numbers are misleading due to changes in how crimes are classified and reported. He points to Proposition 47, passed in 2014 before Newsom’s tenure, which reduced penalties for certain offenses like drug possession and shoplifting from felonies to misdemeanors. “Things that were a crime 14 years ago are no longer a crime, so they don’t get reported,” he explained.
California’s sanctuary policies have become another focal point in Bianco’s campaign. The state restricts local law enforcement from using resources to enforce federal immigration laws and limits cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) except in specific cases involving serious offenses. Bianco claims these policies are deepening California’s problems while diverting taxpayer resources.
“They know it’s a disaster; they refuse to stop it,” Bianco said. “So, instead, they import illegal immigrants into the state and then give them free stuff on our backs. They take all our taxpayer money and give them free healthcare, free medical, free school, free everything, free money to live on.”
The sheriff’s campaign has garnered significant support from law enforcement across the state. Fifty-two law enforcement leaders and organizations have endorsed him, including the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of San Diego County and the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), which represents more than 86,000 public safety members across the state.
“Law enforcement is completely behind me,” Bianco stated. “California is in dire, desperate search of someone that they can trust that is going to be honest and transparent with them.”
The strong polling for Republican candidates signals a potential shift in California’s political landscape, where Democrats have long dominated statewide offices. Rising concerns about public safety, cost of living, and immigration policy appear to be creating new opportunities for GOP candidates in the traditionally blue state.
Governor Newsom, who is term-limited and reportedly considering a presidential run in 2028, has defended his administration’s record on crime. His office recently highlighted $1.7 billion in investments “to fight crime, help local governments hire more police, and improve public safety” during his tenure, including a 2023 allocation of $267 million to combat retail crime across 55 communities.
With the 2026 election still two years away, the race remains fluid, but the early polling suggests California voters may be more receptive to Republican messaging on crime and public safety than in recent election cycles.
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9 Comments
Public safety is a major concern for many Californians, so the sheriff’s focus on that issue could give him an advantage. However, it remains to be seen how his platform on other key issues will be received.
Agreed. Voters will likely be weighing a range of factors beyond just crime and policing when deciding their choice for governor.
The poll results suggest there is an appetite for a more law-and-order approach in California. However, the electorate may have diverse views on how to balance public safety with other priorities.
Given the high stakes involved, this race is sure to generate a lot of attention and debate. Californians will have some important choices to make when it comes to the future direction of the state.
I’m curious to hear more about the sheriff’s specific policy proposals and how they differ from the current administration’s approach. Effective criminal justice reform is a complex issue.
That’s a good point. The details of his platform will be important in evaluating his candidacy. Voters will want to see concrete plans, not just broad critiques.
It will be worth watching how the sheriff’s campaign messaging evolves as he seeks to appeal to a broader range of voters beyond his base. Positioning himself as a pragmatic, solutions-oriented candidate could be key.
It’s interesting to see a Republican sheriff emerging as a contender in what is typically a Democratic stronghold. This could signal a shift in voter priorities in the state.
This is an interesting development in California politics. The sheriff’s criticism of Newsom’s approach to criminal justice seems to be resonating with voters. It will be worth watching how this race unfolds over the next few years.