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Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco officially entered the California governor’s race, announcing his candidacy during a campaign kickoff event in Riverside.

Bianco’s event took place at Avila’s Historic 1929 event center, where he was joined by family, supporters, and local elected officials. During his speech, he outlined his priorities, promising to:

✅ Improve public safety
✅ Cut government red tape
✅ Reform state policies

Bianco, a Republican, positioned himself as a candidate who will fight for Californians, taking aim at Sacramento leadership and what he described as “felony-enabling policies.”

A Potential High-Profile Opponent?

One major question surrounding the 2026 California governor’s race is whether Vice President Kamala Harris, a Bay Area native, will enter the race. When asked about the possibility, Bianco said he would “welcome that.”

With his campaign officially underway, Bianco now faces the challenge of gaining statewide recognition and securing support in a heavily Democratic state.

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Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco Announces Run for California Governor