The initial debate in California’s governor race got pretty intense, as Republican candidate Steve Hilton took aim at fellow Republican Chad Bianco. He criticized Bianco over his past actions during left-wing protests and even urged him to step down from the race.
With the jungle primary looming in less than five months, both Republican and Democratic candidates gathered to discuss their visions if they were elected. Hilton pointed out Bianco’s absence, mentioning accusations from 2020 where Bianco allegedly knelt during a Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest, suggesting viewers check out the video for context.
“Before we keep going, I think we really need to talk about the elephant in the room, or maybe the RINOs who are not here. Chad Bianco, a Republican colleague, isn’t here to face the Democrats and their background,” Hilton stated. He went on to say, “He kneeled during the BLM protests; now he’s claiming he was praying.”
Hilton insisted, “You can see it for yourself at blmbianco.org. We can’t let the Republican vote split and let Democrats in. Bianco has more baggage than an airport. We simply can’t let ‘BLM Bianco’ be our candidate. He needs to drop out—just like he dropped out of tonight’s debate.”
A video from 2020 has resurfaced, showing Bianco, while working for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, kneeling during massive protests following George Floyd’s death. A report at the time described how Bianco and nearby lawmakers knelt with demonstrators, urging the crowd to collaborate for change.
During a recent Republican convention, however, Bianco claimed he was not kneeling but praying. He mentioned having a good relationship with one of the protest organizers, saying, “He was a solid guy.”
Bianco elaborated, “I was right there when things turned chaotic. We were working to manage hotspots. He helped us out, wanting to ensure the protest could proceed safely.”
He recalled a moment when the protest organizer, asking if they could pray, prompted him to agree even though he couldn’t have his deputies do so directly. “So, I asked them if they would like to pray, and I led a short prayer,” Bianco shared. “Some of my deputies joined in, and that’s what the cameras picked up.”
Bianco also mentioned the backlash he faced over the incident and expressed that it seemed unnecessary to clarify his stance on it. “You’d be surprised—many chiefs and sheriffs across the nation have knelt too. Check with your department regarding their views,” he suggested. “Make sure the morale is good within your organization.”
Interestingly, despite the controversy surrounding this issue, recent polls show Bianco ahead of both Hilton and other Democrats. According to a January poll from the Independent Voter Project with over 1,700 registered nonpartisan voters, Bianco secured 26%, closely followed by Hilton at 23.8%, while 22.3% chose “none of the above.”
Hilton’s call for Bianco to withdraw isn’t a new tactic for him; he recently faced demands from Democratic candidate Antonio Villaraigosa to step down after his name surfaced in files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
An email from 2011 shows Hilton’s former colleague reaching out to connect with Hollywood director Woody Allen, which was forwarded to Epstein. Hilton’s spokesperson claimed he has never met Epstein or participated in such meetings.
Notably, other Democratic candidates also appeared in the same files, often referenced in articles. Villaraigosa himself was mentioned in an email regarding a past cocktail party hosted by the former Los Angeles mayor.
