NewsNation will feature Nexstar’s “Debate Night in California: The Race for Governor” on Wednesday, April 22, with special coverage starting at 8p/7C, livestreamed by The Hill.
(NewsNation) — Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is running for California’s top office in a crowded field this primary election season.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom can not seek reelection after hitting the state’s term limit.
Bianco is 1 of 6 candidates invited to Nexstar’s “Debate Night in California: The Race for Governor” on Wednesday.
Two Republicans lead California governor race after Swalwell exit: Poll
The California primary election will be held June 2, and early voting begins May 4.
Here’s what to know about Bianco:
Who is Chad Bianco?
Bianco, a Republican, was elected Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator of Riverside County in 2018.
The 30-year police veteran had worked at the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for 26 years before assuming office as sheriff, coroner, and public administrator.
Why is Chad Bianco running?
Bianco’s campaign is focused on addressing affordability, housing, and public safety.
Bianco recently seized more than half a million ballots cast in a November special election from county election officials, while saying he was investigating a ballot count discrepancy.
A new Nexstar Media Group–Emerson College poll shows a competitive field in the California governor’s race, with Steve Hilton leading at 17%, followed by Tom Steyer and Chad Bianco at 14%. The survey was conducted April 14–15 among 1,000 likely voters. (NewsNation)
California gubernatorial debate: How to watch
What are Chad Bianco’s key running points?
Public Safety:
Being a career law enforcement official, public safety is at the top of his campaign platform.
“We want law and order, we want accountability, we want truth, integrity and leadership to save our beautiful state,” he said on his Facebook page.
Agriculture:
Being the state that grows three-quarters of the fruits and nuts consumed in the U.S., Bianco has posted that agriculture is an area he intends to focus on and remove regulations.
“California farmers are being forced out of business. Our AG industry is being purposely regulated out of existence in favor of foreign interests. I will not only revive the AG industry, I will return it to greatness,” he said on his Facebook page.
Cost of living:
California’s high cost of living is among Bianco’s points, made on his Facebook page.
“We want cheaper gas, cheaper groceries, cheaper electricity, and no income tax. We also know who Californians want to deliver it,” he said in a Facebook post.
Where does Chad Bianco stand in polling?
Bianco was tied for second with all candidates in April’s survey, commissioned by Nexstar Media Group and conducted by Emerson College Polling, with 14% of support among likely voters.
He received 8% of the support in this month’s SurveyUSA poll, tied with Democrat Katie Porter and trailing Republican Steve Hilton, Democrat Tom Steyer and Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell, who has since withdrawn from the race.
In March’s Public Policy Institute of California’s poll, he recevied 14% of support, tied with Steyer and behind Hilton and Swalwell.