Chad Bianco torches Republican gubernatorial rival Steve Hilton

A bitter GOP civil battle is erupting in California’s governor race with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco torching Republican rival Steve Hilton’s marketing campaign as a “full-blown lie” and claiming he’s been “purchased and paid for” by Democrats.

In a blistering video message Tuesday, Bianco flatly demanded Hilton stop the race as the 2 Republicans battle to outlive California’s jungle main system and snag a spot in November’s common election.

“Hey Steve, it’s Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, your subsequent governor. Steve, it’s time so that you can drop out. Your marketing campaign has already failed,” Bianco stated.

“It failed in January. You ran out of cash final month. You are actually being propped up and funded by Democrats.”

The sheriff accused Democratic operatives and tremendous PACs of quietly boosting Hilton as a result of they see the previous Fox Information host as a better opponent than the tough-talking lawman.

In contrast to others on this race, for me this marketing campaign isn’t a conceit venture or an audition for a brand new Fox Information present. It’s about saving California.

That is my residence. California deserves a pro-life, professional second modification governor. I’m the one choice. pic.twitter.com/V2wbGrHzPk

— Sheriff Chad Bianco (@ChadBianco) Might 20, 2026

“Democrats and Democrat tremendous PACs are spending a fortune working your marketing campaign,” Bianco charged.

Bianco additionally revived assaults tied to experiences involving Hilton’s identify showing in paperwork related to deceased intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“Conveniently, at some point after you have been named within the Epstein information, the profession political strategist went to work,” Bianco stated. “You instantly began spending all of your cash attacking me with pay-to-play influencers, social media bots, and a dishonest smear marketing campaign.”

The escalating feud comes after Hilton publicly urged Bianco to droop his longshot marketing campaign with a purpose to consolidate Republican help behind a single candidate able to reaching the overall election.

“Chad, let’s do that for the sake of the state we each love,” Hilton wrote in a latest opinion piece for The California Publish .

“The numbers don’t lie: You may’t win, however your continued presence within the race signifies that California might lose — huge time. The facility to keep away from that’s in your arms.”

However Bianco refused to again down, insisting Hilton would get steamrolled by any Democrat in November.

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“In no world, no world does Steve Hilton beat a Democrat in November. Gavin Newsom is aware of it,” Bianco stated.

“Democrat candidates understand it. And Steve, you already know it.”

A latest ballot printed by the California Democratic Celebration confirmed Democrat Xavier Becerra main the crowded area with 21% help, whereas Hilton narrowly edged forward at 22%. Bianco lagged behind at 10%.

Hilton has pointed to Newsom’s latest feedback a couple of “break the glass” technique designed to stop two Republicans from advancing to November.

Bianco, nonetheless, forged himself because the outsider risk Sacramento fears most.

“On this planet of soiled politics, soiled politicians be part of forces to remove the actual risk to politics as normal,” he stated.

“Drop out, Steve. Actual Californians, hardworking Californians demand it.”