Chad Bianco Outlines Campaign Vision as He Leads Early California Governor Polls

As the race for California governor accelerates, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is refining his message and laying out his roadmap for the campaign ahead.

Bianco, who launched his run several months ago, currently leads the field with 18% support among registered voters—placing him ahead of Democratic contenders Katie Porter and Xavier Becerra. While the election remains far from decided, Bianco has spent recent months traveling the state, aiming to connect with voters in a predominantly Democratic landscape.

The sheriff says his campaign is centered on “restoring safety and accountability” in California.

In an interview, Bianco highlighted his top priorities: improving public safety, strengthening education, addressing rising crime, expanding housing availability, and boosting economic opportunity. He also emphasized the need for criminal justice reforms, including revisiting early-release policies and increasing consequences for violent and repeat offenders.

Despite his conservative background, Bianco believes he can win over Democratic voters by focusing on issues he says affect all Californians, regardless of political affiliation.

In the full interview coming up in our 11 a.m. newscast, Bianco discusses how he plans to remain a top contender, his views on immigration policy, and his proposals to reform the state’s court and prison systems.