On July 26, Chad Bianco, a candidate for the 2026 California Governor, and the current Riverside County Sheriff, visited Long Beach in Los Angeles County to participate in a community event. He delivered a speech outlining his plans to reduce government regulations and lower state taxes, including the proposal to eliminate state sales tax and income tax.
In the past few months, Bianco has traveled to all 58 counties in California, and the number of people attending his speeches has been increasing, including Republicans, independent community residents, and many Democrats. He was one of the active advocates of Proposition 36 passed by California voters last year, which aimed to strengthen law enforcement and mandatory drug rehabilitation for repeat offenders of theft and drug crimes.
“All Californians want public safety,” Bianco said. “I am running not for a party, but for the people of California, and I need the support of both parties.”
There are 19 candidates for the 2026 governor race, including 9 Democrats, 7 Republicans, and 3 independents. Currently, Bianco has garnered endorsements from sheriffs in 49 out of 58 counties in addition to some members of Congress and state legislators.
Bianco mentioned in his speech that California has the best geographical location and climate in the country, with talented individuals, excellent small business owners, and hardworking people in various industries. He pointed out that it is the government that is causing California’s collapse, not the people.
In 1989, Bianco moved from Utah to California in search of opportunities. In 1993, he graduated at the top of his class from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Academy, and has been working at the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for over thirty years. He was re-elected as Riverside County Sheriff in 2018 and 2022, with his current term ending in 2028.
Bianco expressed concern about the current state of California, where young people are leaving for states like Texas, Florida, Arizona, and others due to high housing prices, expensive gasoline, and heavy tax burden. He emphasized the need for reforms that would create a more business-friendly environment and attract businesses back to California.
He emphasized that reducing regulations and state taxes would stimulate economic growth, create more job opportunities, increase the production of goods, and enhance consumers’ purchasing power. With 40 million residents in California, the goal is to revitalize the economy by allowing the government to loosen its grip.
On the issue of education, Bianco criticized the state for falling behind in areas like reading, writing, mathematics, and science. He expressed his commitment to redirecting education funds to empower parents in choosing schools for their children and restoring sanity in the system to protect and provide the best education for children.
Bianco also highlighted the high gas prices in California, which he attributed to excessive regulations that hinder oil exploration within the state, causing California to rely on imports for about 80% of its gasoline supply. He proposed reforms to lower gas prices and make California more self-sufficient in energy production.
He pointed out that California’s gas tax, ranging from $1.6 to $1.8 per gallon, contributes to the high gas prices compared to other states. Bianco criticized the practice of imposing taxes under the guise of regulatory fees to bypass voter approval. He pledged to work towards making California one of the states with the lowest gas prices by eliminating unnecessary government charges.
In terms of taxation, Bianco proposed to eliminate the state sales tax and questioned why California, with its robust economy, cannot join nearly 10 states that do not levy state income tax. He emphasized the need for the government to return financial control to the people, as he believed they could manage their money more effectively.
Currently, the average sales tax in California is 7.25%, but in many places, it can range from 8.5% to 10.25%, resulting in consumers paying significant amounts in state taxes. Bianco compared this to states with no sales tax or lower sales tax rates, highlighting the burden that high taxes place on Californians.
In conclusion, Chad Bianco emphasized the need for reform in California to create a more prosperous and thriving state that empowers its residents and businesses, while also ensuring better education and a more manageable cost of living for its citizens.