Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco picked up an endorsement in his run for California governor from his counterpart in a neighboring county.
On Thursday, Bianco’s campaign announced that Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes has thrown his support behind the Riverside County sheriff.
“Sacramento politicians have forced law enforcement to play second fiddle to criminals for far too long,” said Barnes in a release from Bianco’s campaign. “We need a proven leader in the Governor’s office to turn this state around and make sure our communities’ safety is put first. Sheriff Chad Bianco is that proven leader, and I cannot wait to work with him as our next Governor of California.”
Bianco was similarly effusive in his praise for Barnes.
“Sheriff Don Barnes and I have worked together for several years, and I greatly appreciate his support in this critical campaign for the future of our state,” Bianco said. “We cannot allow Sacramento to continue to put the well-being of criminals above our residents’ safety. Californians deserve so much better.”
Bianco is running in the 2026 election to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is termed out.
A vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, Bianco made abolishing the state income tax a major part of his campaign.