Bianco vows to 'dismantle' Newsom budget in outsider bid for California governor

MARIN COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is closing out the final stretch of California's gubernatorial primary by pitching himself as a political outsider ready to aggressively upend Democratic leadership in Sacramento.

At one point earlier this year, public polling suggested Bianco had a legitimate path to the November runoff - with some surveys showing two Republicans potentially advancing in California's unusual top-two primary system. But the race has tightened in recent weeks as Republicans increasingly consolidate around former Fox News host Steve Hilton following his endorsement from President Donald Trump, while Democrats coalesce around candidates including former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

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In an interview with ABC7 Eyewitness News during a campaign stop in Marin County on Monday, the Bianco argued California voters are frustrated with the state's affordability crisis and are ready for a dramatic shift in direction after more than a decade of Democratic control.

"Californians are tired of what's going on, and they're realizing that it's only Democrats that have broken it," Bianco said.

Bianco, who has served more than three decades in law enforcement and is currently sheriff of Riverside County, framed his campaign around reducing the cost of living, cutting regulations and eliminating what he described as wasteful government spending.

Asked how he would address California's projected structural budget deficits in the coming years, Bianco said he would "absolutely completely dismantle the budget that Newsom has going forward."

"It's only in a structural deficit because of the failed, completely failed policies that they have going, the completely failed agenda that's harming California," Bianco said. "And it's going to be reversed."

Bianco specifically pointed to state spending on programs benefiting undocumented immigrants, homelessness initiatives and California's high-speed rail project as areas he would target for cuts.

"Right off the bat, I can tell you there is going to be absolutely zero funding for health care, school food, anything else for people who are in this country illegally," Bianco said.

He also vowed to end state funding for high-speed rail "as soon as I get sworn in."

"We are not funding failure," Bianco said.

Bianco acknowledged many of his proposals would face resistance from California's Democratic-controlled Legislature, but suggested he would rely heavily on executive authority to pursue his agenda.

"I'm not navigating anything. They're going to navigate me," Bianco said when asked how he would work with the Democratic supermajority.

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Later in the interview, Bianco confirmed he would govern extensively through executive action during his first years in office.

"Absolutely. For the first two years," Bianco said. "It's just making sure that we stimulate the economy. We stop people from leaving."

The sheriff argued the governor has broad authority to roll back regulations created by state agencies and commissions, particularly around housing, energy and business development.

"I am just going to be removing all of the regulation that's harming California," Bianco said. "And they can't stop me."

Bianco's campaign message mirrors broader Republican efforts to focus on affordability, homelessness and public safety in California - though many of the changes he proposes would likely face legal and political hurdles.

While several gubernatorial candidates from both parties have called for reducing bureaucratic barriers to housing construction and business growth, significant policy changes would still require legislative approval or could face court challenges.

Bianco repeatedly returned to affordability as the central issue driving his campaign, arguing Californians have reached a breaking point with the state's high costs.

ABC7 Eyewitness News asked Bianco if he could wave a magic wand and fix one problem in California, what would it be? He responded - cost of living.