Could Trump's Non-Endorsement Of Sheriff Chad Bianco Backfire On GOP?

RIVERSIDE, CA — Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has been a strong Donald Trump supporter, so it was surprising late Sunday night when the president didn't reciprocate in a very public way.

Trump announced via his Truth Platform that he is endorsing Republican podcaster and former television host Steve Hilton in California's gubernatorial race. Bianco is also running for governor.

Trump said he has "known and respected Steve Hilton ... for many years. He is a truly fine man, one who has watched as this once great State has gone to Hell."

Trump promised, "With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before! Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT. He will be a GREAT Governor and, importantly, WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP"

Hilton's campaign publicly thanked the president, and the candidate elaborated Monday in a statement provided to City News Service.

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump," he told the news outlet. "California should be the best place in the world to follow your dreams, raise a family, start and grow a business. We have everything we need to lead our country again."

Hilton made bold promises, too.

"I'm running to make our state Califordable: $3 gas, cut your electric bills in half, your first $100,000 tax free, a home you can afford to buy," he told City News Service.

Bianco, 58, and Hilton, 56, are the two Republicans among the 10 major candidates in California's 2026 gubernatorial race.

The Democratic candidates are former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former U.S. congresswoman Katie Porter, billionaire financier Tom Steyer, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former L.A. Mayor and Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, and former state Controller Betty Yee.

Bianco and Hilton are top contenders in the 2026 contest.

On Monday, Bianco dismissed Hilton's chances of winning, and he took a middle ground.

"For me, this has never been about being the top Republican," the sheriff said in an Instagram post. "I have promised to be a governor for all Californians. I've spent 33 years fighting for Californians, regardless of political party."

California's June 2 primary is fast approaching. Under the state's top-two primary system, the two gubernatorial candidates who receive the most votes will advance to November's general election, regardless of their party affiliation.

With Trump weighing in on the California gubernatorial contest ahead of the primary, he may have hurt the chances of seeing two Republican candidates on the November ticket. The endorsement could lead California's Republican voters to back Hilton, with a Democratic candidate coming in second.

Jack Pitney is a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College. He has worked for Republican officials and causes. He argues Trump is handing the election to Democrats, according to a statement Monday in the Los Angeles Times.

"This is bizarro political judgment," Pitney said. "Trump has been making a bunch of decisions that seem likely to hurt Republicans in the midterm election."

Trump's endorsement could go another way. Democratic candidate Yee issued the following statement: "Endorsed by one of the most divisive, unpopular and ineffective presidents in modern history? That's no badge of honor, it's more like a mark of shame."

Hilton has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday morning near the steps of the state Capitol in Sacramento to discuss the endorsement and other issues.

Also Monday, CNN announced that a debate among some of the candidates will be held in Los Angeles on May 5. Details about the specific venue and participants will be released at a later date.

—City News Service contributed to this report.