First Major California Republican Enters the Race to Succeed Governor Gavin Newsom

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has announced his candidacy for governor of California in 2026, making him the first major Republican to enter the race. Bianco, a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump, vows to restore law and order while reversing the policies he says have led to California’s decline.

Key Facts:

Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff since 2018, has officially launched his campaign for governor in 2026.
He blames Democratic leadership for California’s problems, citing high crime, homelessness, and the rising cost of living.
Bianco says his campaign will focus on making California a better place rather than partisan politics.
Democratic contenders include former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, and others.
Polls indicate Vice President Kamala Harris would be a strong contender if she decides to run.

The Rest of The Story:

Bianco made his announcement in Riverside, where he sharply criticized California’s Democratic leadership, blaming them for rampant crime, homelessness, and soaring costs of living.

He pledged to restore “sanity” and offer real solutions to the problems plaguing the state.

His candidacy marks a rare early Republican entry into the race.

The GOP has struggled to gain traction in California, a state dominated by Democrats for decades.

Meanwhile, the Democratic primary is shaping up to be highly competitive, with several high-profile candidates already in the mix.

HAT IN THE RING: Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a vocal critic of Gov. Newsom, announced his candidacy for California governor saying, "We want sanity restored and common sense to prevail." https://t.co/aRNHXIgGdD pic.twitter.com/DAO8crgwzW

— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 17, 2025

Commentary:

For decades, Democrats have run California into the ground, turning what was once the land of opportunity into an unlivable mess.

Bianco is right to call out their failures—sky-high taxes, rampant homelessness, and crime-infested cities are just the tip of the iceberg.

Californians are paying more for gas, groceries, and housing than anywhere else in the country, and what do they get in return? Tent cities, fentanyl overdoses, and crumbling infrastructure.

Still, history suggests voters won’t change course.

Every election cycle, another Democrat promises to fix the problems caused by their predecessors, and Californians fall for it.

Newsom, like those before him, has made life worse, yet his party remains firmly in control.

The upcoming election will likely be another predictable cycle where voters replace one career politician with another who keeps the same failed policies in place.

That’s why people and businesses are fleeing in droves.

Major companies like Tesla, Oracle, and Hewlett-Packard have moved their headquarters elsewhere, while millions of residents are packing up for Texas, Florida, and other states where taxes are lower and crime is under control.

If Bianco’s campaign gains traction, it will be because Californians are finally waking up to the reality that Democratic rule has ruined their state.

The question is, will they finally vote for change?

The Bottom Line:

Chad Bianco’s entry into the 2026 governor’s race gives Republicans a rare chance to take on California’s failing leadership.

He offers a sharp contrast to the Democrats who have mismanaged the state, but history suggests voters may stick with the same broken system.

With crime, homelessness, and the cost of living at record highs, Californians face a choice—keep the status quo or take a chance on real change.