The Republican primary for California’s governorship is heating up, with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco leveling sharp accusations against his opponent, Steve Hilton. Bianco claims Hilton’s campaign is built on “blatant lies” and suggests he has been “bought and paid” for by Democrats.
In a passionate video released Tuesday, Bianco urged Hilton to retract his candidacy, stating that he has no chance of success in California’s jungle primary system leading into the general election this November.
“Hey, Steve, this is your next governor speaking, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. It’s time for you to step aside. Your campaign has already failed,” Bianco declared.
“It fell apart in January, and it ran out of funding last month. Now it’s propped up by Democrats.”
Bianco accused Democratic operatives and super PACs of covertly supporting Hilton, viewing him as a less formidable opponent than other candidates, particularly a “tough-talking lawyer.”
“Democrats and Democratic super PACs are investing considerable resources in your campaign,” he emphasized.
He further brought up Hilton’s alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein, questioning the timing of Hilton’s political strategies following the surfacing of his name in Epstein-related documents.
“Conveniently, right after your name showed up in those files, you engaged your political machinery to attack me using paid influencers and a smear campaign,” Bianco claimed.
The feud escalated after Hilton asked Bianco to withdraw from the race to consolidate Republican backing for a single candidate, who could contend effectively in the general election.
“Chad, let’s do this for the state we both love,” Hilton wrote in an op-ed. He pointed out that Bianco’s continued presence in the race could jeopardize their chances in November.
However, Bianco is standing firm, asserting that Hilton would ultimately be swayed by Democrats when it matters.
“There has never been a time when Steve Hilton defeated a Democrat in November, and Gavin Newsom is well aware of that,” Bianco stated. “You and the Democrats know it too, Steve.”
According to a recent poll from the California Democratic Party, Democrat Xavier Becerra is leading at 21%, with Hilton slightly ahead at 22%, while Bianco trails with just 10%.
Hilton referenced Newsom’s recent statements about preventing two Republican senators from making it through to November as a piece of tactical maneuvering.
In response, Bianco framed himself as the true outsider that Sacramento politicians fear the most, suggesting that “dirty politicians” are colluding to eliminate real threats to their agenda.
“Step out of your bubble, Steve. That’s what genuine, hard-working Californians want.”
