California Governor Hopeful Seeks Trump Endorsement

Riverside County Sheriff's bid for governor hinges on former president's support.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 11:04am

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Republican Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff running for California governor, is actively courting an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Bianco believes a Trump endorsement would be a major boost to his campaign, but logistical and security challenges have prevented him from personally visiting Trump at Mar-a-Lago to make his case.

Why it matters

Trump's endorsement carries significant weight with Republican primary voters in California, and could make or break Bianco's chances of winning the nomination. The former president's backing would provide a major fundraising and name recognition boost, but could also alienate moderate and independent voters in the general election.

The details

Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff, is running for the Republican nomination for California governor. He believes securing an endorsement from former President Trump would be a game-changer for his campaign, but has been unable to personally visit Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort due to logistical and security challenges. Bianco has instead had to find other ways to try to win Trump's support, such as praising the former president and seeking to align himself with Trump's political brand.

  • Bianco is running in the 2026 California gubernatorial election.
  • The Republican primary is scheduled for June 2026.

The players

Chad Bianco

The Republican sheriff of Riverside County who is running for California governor.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States whose endorsement Bianco is actively seeking.

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What they’re saying

“Trump's endorsement would be huge,”

— Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff and California Governor Candidate

What’s next

Bianco will continue to court Trump's endorsement in the lead-up to the June 2026 Republican primary election.

The takeaway

The California governor's race highlights the continued influence of former President Trump within the Republican party, as candidates seek his blessing to boost their campaigns. However, a Trump endorsement could also be a double-edged sword, potentially alienating moderate and independent voters in the general election.