Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, known for his strong support of former President Trump and his controversial stance on immigration, is planning a gubernatorial run in 2026. The sheriff is expected to go public with his candidacy next Monday, although details regarding his campaign platform have not been explicitly laid out yet, as reported by CBS News Los Angeles. Last week, Attorney General Rob Bonta indicated he would not be entering the gubernatorial fray, while Kamala Harris kept the political gossip mill turning during her survey of the Palisades Fire aftermath without confirming nor disputing her potential candidacy.

Bianco's approach to law enforcement and his policy preferences have made headlines, notably when he voiced his disdain for California's sanctuary state law, SB 54, and promised to cooperate with ICE "within the confines of the sanctuary state laws" to remove criminals from jails, as stated by  CBS News Los Angeles. 

The sheriff's announcement, as teased on Eventbrite, positions him to potentially consolidate California's conservative base early in the race, a strategy noted by Patch, in a state that has not seen a Republican win statewide office since 2006.

“I think it’s time that instead of letting them out of jail and giving them alcohol and drugs and everything else, I think it’s time we put a felon in the White House,” Bianco said, as reported by KTLA.