MAGA sheriff campaigning for governor in CA promises to abolish ‘sanctuary’ laws
President Donald Trump has set his sights on similar laws enacted in other states.
TroibNews 
**RIVERSIDE, California** — A pro-Trump sheriff from Southern California announced his intention to overturn a state law that protects undocumented immigrants from deportation if he succeeds in his challenging bid for governor of the predominantly Democratic state.
“The best thing would be to completely abolish SB 54 and repeal it because it does absolutely nothing for public safety,” Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco stated to PMG on Monday during his gubernatorial campaign launch, referencing the state’s so-called sanctuary law.
“It does absolutely nothing for immigrant communities. The only thing SB 54 was designed for was to keep criminals from being deported,” Bianco remarked, dressed in Wrangler jeans, cowboy boots, and with a gun at his hip during the kickoff event in Riverside, an inland city south of Los Angeles that Trump narrowly won by just over one point in 2024.
In recent weeks, Bianco has echoed criticism from Trump officials regarding SB 54, a California law enacted in 2018 that limits local police and sheriff's departments from aiding in federal immigration enforcement.
“California sanctuary city/state laws are placing every single immigrant at risk, regardless of whether or not they are law-abiding, because the state law does not allow ICE-ready access to our jails,” he said in a statement to PMG last month.
Bianco, known for his hardline stance, received acknowledgment from President Donald Trump at a rally for Rep. Ken Calvert's reelection. He could be positioned as a strong Republican contender in the upcoming race, particularly due to anticipated backing from local law enforcement, as he immerses himself in the 2026 gubernatorial campaign. Current Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is unable to run again due to term limits.
Another potential Republican candidate vying for the governor's seat is Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host. The state’s jungle primary system allows the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, to advance to the November general election.
Bianco's entry adds to a competitive field of Democratic frontrunners, including former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis. There’s also speculation that Vice President Kamala Harris or former Rep. Katie Porter might enter the race.
On Monday, hundreds attended Bianco's campaign launch, focusing on themes of public safety and affordability.
“I came to California in 1989 in search of the California Dream. I got a job, I bought a house, I married a beauty queen, and I raised a family,” Bianco recounted, standing before a backdrop of fellow Republicans.
“Unfortunately for my kids, destructive policies, legal agendas, government overreach and regulation, radical activism and special interests have turned the California dream into a nightmare for millions of Californians. Today, we fire up the machine that will restore the promise to all Californians that the dream is still alive,” he added.
Several state and federal officials came to support him, including Republican Assemblymember Tom Lackey, who has a background in law enforcement akin to Bianco's.
“His life experiences align with the public safety goals that I think most people support. He’s not as extreme as people are trying to characterize him as,” Lackey commented.
Another lawmaker indicated that Bianco's policies would align with those favored by the White House, emphasizing his commitment to reducing government size to ease regulations and lower business costs in the state.
“He shared with me his commitment to reducing the size of government so we can streamline regulations and make the cost of doing business in this state less burdensome,” said Assemblymember Greg Wallis.
While any Republican candidate for statewide office in California faces significant challenges in reaching the governor’s mansion, Bianco may benefit from the momentum gained through his support of Proposition 36, a ballot measure that toughens penalties for specific drug and theft crimes and was easily passed by voters in November, reflecting a potential rightward shift in public sentiment on crime issues.
Bianco noted that his campaign experience regarding the measure highlighted the importance of relatability.
“That’s the appeal. There isn’t going to be another Republican that gets into this race that has that,” he asserted.
In December, PMG acquired a poll indicating Bianco held 14 percent support in a field of ten declared and likely candidates. Within the state’s jungle primary framework, he could gain traction by consolidating the conservative vote. Calvert believes Bianco is well-suited for the role.
“I’ve seen what bad governance does. California has seen that in Sacramento. So, he can turn this around.”
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
“The best thing would be to completely abolish SB 54 and repeal it because it does absolutely nothing for public safety,” Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco stated to PMG on Monday during his gubernatorial campaign launch, referencing the state’s so-called sanctuary law.
“It does absolutely nothing for immigrant communities. The only thing SB 54 was designed for was to keep criminals from being deported,” Bianco remarked, dressed in Wrangler jeans, cowboy boots, and with a gun at his hip during the kickoff event in Riverside, an inland city south of Los Angeles that Trump narrowly won by just over one point in 2024.
In recent weeks, Bianco has echoed criticism from Trump officials regarding SB 54, a California law enacted in 2018 that limits local police and sheriff's departments from aiding in federal immigration enforcement.
“California sanctuary city/state laws are placing every single immigrant at risk, regardless of whether or not they are law-abiding, because the state law does not allow ICE-ready access to our jails,” he said in a statement to PMG last month.
Bianco, known for his hardline stance, received acknowledgment from President Donald Trump at a rally for Rep. Ken Calvert's reelection. He could be positioned as a strong Republican contender in the upcoming race, particularly due to anticipated backing from local law enforcement, as he immerses himself in the 2026 gubernatorial campaign. Current Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is unable to run again due to term limits.
Another potential Republican candidate vying for the governor's seat is Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host. The state’s jungle primary system allows the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, to advance to the November general election.
Bianco's entry adds to a competitive field of Democratic frontrunners, including former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis. There’s also speculation that Vice President Kamala Harris or former Rep. Katie Porter might enter the race.
On Monday, hundreds attended Bianco's campaign launch, focusing on themes of public safety and affordability.
“I came to California in 1989 in search of the California Dream. I got a job, I bought a house, I married a beauty queen, and I raised a family,” Bianco recounted, standing before a backdrop of fellow Republicans.
“Unfortunately for my kids, destructive policies, legal agendas, government overreach and regulation, radical activism and special interests have turned the California dream into a nightmare for millions of Californians. Today, we fire up the machine that will restore the promise to all Californians that the dream is still alive,” he added.
Several state and federal officials came to support him, including Republican Assemblymember Tom Lackey, who has a background in law enforcement akin to Bianco's.
“His life experiences align with the public safety goals that I think most people support. He’s not as extreme as people are trying to characterize him as,” Lackey commented.
Another lawmaker indicated that Bianco's policies would align with those favored by the White House, emphasizing his commitment to reducing government size to ease regulations and lower business costs in the state.
“He shared with me his commitment to reducing the size of government so we can streamline regulations and make the cost of doing business in this state less burdensome,” said Assemblymember Greg Wallis.
While any Republican candidate for statewide office in California faces significant challenges in reaching the governor’s mansion, Bianco may benefit from the momentum gained through his support of Proposition 36, a ballot measure that toughens penalties for specific drug and theft crimes and was easily passed by voters in November, reflecting a potential rightward shift in public sentiment on crime issues.
Bianco noted that his campaign experience regarding the measure highlighted the importance of relatability.
“That’s the appeal. There isn’t going to be another Republican that gets into this race that has that,” he asserted.
In December, PMG acquired a poll indicating Bianco held 14 percent support in a field of ten declared and likely candidates. Within the state’s jungle primary framework, he could gain traction by consolidating the conservative vote. Calvert believes Bianco is well-suited for the role.
“I’ve seen what bad governance does. California has seen that in Sacramento. So, he can turn this around.”
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
