California Governor Race: Sheriff Chad Bianco Challenges Sanctuary Law

Image credits: Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has announced his candidacy for the 2026 California governor's race, with a platform that includes overturning the state's sanctuary law, which restricts local law enforcement from assisting in federal immigration enforcement. Bianco, a pro-Trump sheriff, believes that the law does nothing for public safety and immigrant communities, and instead prioritizes keeping criminals from being deported. He has echoed Trump officials' condemnation of the law, which was enacted in 2018, and has stated that he would work to repeal it if elected governor.

Bianco's campaign launch was attended by hundreds of supporters in Riverside, where he outlined his vision for a safer and more affordable California. He criticized the state's Democratic leadership, saying that they have given Californians "rampant crime, higher taxes, the highest cost of living in our nation, tent encampments in every major city, more fentanyl deaths, catastrophic fires, a broken homeowners' insurance market." Bianco has built a statewide profile as a vocal critic of Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature's Democratic supermajority, and has drawn headlines for his refusal to enforce potential vaccine mandates and his support for Proposition 36, a tough-on-crime ballot measure.

The 2026 governor's race is expected to be highly competitive, with a crowded field of Democratic candidates, including Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former Rep. Katie Porter. Bianco is the highest-profile Republican to enter the race, and his campaign will likely focus on consolidating the conservative vote in the state's jungle primary system. While any GOP candidate for statewide office in California faces long odds, Bianco's experience campaigning for Proposition 36 and his law enforcement background may give him an edge in the race. He has also received support from local law enforcement and Republican state Assemblymembers, who praise his commitment to public safety and reducing the size of government.

Some of the key issues in the campaign are likely to include immigration, public safety, and the economy. Bianco has stated that he would work to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to remove criminals from the state's jails, while also respecting the state's sanctuary laws. He has also emphasized the need to address the state's high cost of living, including the cost of housing, food, and electricity. The campaign is also expected to feature debates over the state's approach to crime and punishment, with Bianco advocating for tougher penalties for certain crimes and his Democratic opponents pushing for more progressive approaches to justice.

The race for governor is still wide open, with nearly a year and a half to go before the primary election in June 2026. The biggest question mark is whether former Vice President Kamala Harris will jump into the fray, which could spell bad news for the current field of Democrats. Bianco has said that he would welcome the opportunity to run against Harris, citing her history in California and her potential vulnerability on issues like crime and public safety. As the campaign heats up, Californians can expect a lively debate over the state's future and the best path forward on issues like immigration, public safety, and the economy, with leadership being a key factor in the election.