Polling Average
20%15%10%5%0%
12.5%
17.1%
13.2%
11.3%
11.1%
10.6%
5.1%
Republican
Chad Bianco
Republican candidate for Governor in California
California Governor primary: 1st place
$10.8M
JUN 2, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Chad Bianco is trading at 0% to win the California Governor primary: 1st place on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
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)
Notable personal detailsJohnny Chad Bianco is an American law enforcement officer who has served as Sheriff (and Sheriff-Coroner and Public Administrator) of Riverside County, California since 2019. He joined the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1993 after attending the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Academy and has held patrol, narcotics, supervisory, and administrative assignments. He was elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. Bianco ran as a Republican candidate for Governor of California in the 2026 election cycle.
SourcesShowHide
riversidesheriff.orgen.wikipedia.orgbiancoforgovernor.comx.comlinkedin.comanybody.comcommons.wikimedia.orgdocs.voteinfo.netelections.cdn.sos.ca.govcsm.ca.goves.wikipedia.orgnational-police-association.transistor.fmrcdsa.orgkeyt.complumassun.orgcontracosta.ca.govamadorcounty.govvig.cdn.sos.ca.govkabc.comapnews.comsandiegopost.comagnetwest.combreitbart.comcvindependent.comiheart.comlatimes.comhsjchronicle.comcalonews.comcaliforniafamily.orgaol.compeoplefor.orgfoxla.comcrpa.orgpolitico.compresidentialdaily.orgreddit.comfoxnews.comballot-access.orgkrcrtv.comkqed.orgriversidecountygop.comcalmatters.orgnbclosangeles.comabc7.compbs.orgkesq.comfresnobee.comsandiegouniontribune.compressenterprise.comabcnews.comsacbee.comthetimes.comlaist.comoddsshopper.comtechtimes.comwikidata.orgballotready.orgvotesmart.orgquery.wikidata.orgcongress.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgcalvert.house.govgovinfo.govlegislation.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgtakano.house.govnga.org
Political 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.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 31, 2026
Chad Bianco is in the news because he is running in California’s crowded 2026 governor’s race, where the top-two primary will decide who advances to November. Recent results and polling show him trailing the leaders, with Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra ahead and Bianco around 10% to 11%. The latest reporting suggests the runoff spots are still being sorted out, but Bianco is not among the front-runners.
riversidesheriff.org+67
Articles
NYNew York Post3 months ago
California primary system forced GOP to get strategic
Neutral
NNNBC News4 months ago
Several primaries remain uncalled and Ukraine attacks Putin’s hometown: Morning Rundown
Neutral
UTUSA TODAY4 months ago
Hilton, Becerra lead California governor's race: takeaways
Negative
FNFox News4 months ago
Steve Hilton bullish on California gubernatorial primary chances after fiery showdown
Neutral
Latest Polls
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Chad Bianco currently averages 12.5%, ranking third in this race, 0.8 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 12.5%Position: thirdMargin: -0.8 ptsLatest poll: 11.0% (May 28 - 31)Polls included: 76
Average recalculated from polls through May 28 - 31.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising