Lorenzo Lamas, the former action star, broke his silence to blast Gov. Gavin Newsom and throw his weight behind Chad Bianco in the California governor’s fight, warning that Newsom’s record would be a disaster on the national stage. Lamas pointed to out-of-control homelessness, budgeting that produces little accountability, and sanctuary policies that tie directly to higher crime rates. He delivered his criticism bluntly, kept a clear law-and-order stance, and warned voters about the consequences of elevating a failed state leader to the presidency.
EXCLUSIVE: Hollywood action star Lorenzo Lamas recoiled at the thought of California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom leading the United States in the country’s highest elected office. “A President Newsom? God forbid,” Lamas remarked during an interview. He was unambiguous about his concerns and said the state’s problems are a direct reflection of the governor’s priorities.
Lamas said his support is moving to Sheriff Chad Bianco, a pro-law enforcement Republican who he believes represents the opposite of the current administration’s direction. He described Newsom’s time in Sacramento as “devastating” for everyday Californians and said the state looks broken in crucial areas. That kind of rhetoric is rooted in the GOP view that leadership must deliver order and accountability.
“I love the state of California. It’s my home. I’ve lived in other parts of the nation. And as beautiful as this country is, California is my home,” Lamas explained, adding, “A lot of my friends have moved out of the state of California because of the burdensome tax situation, politics have forced people out of the state. But I’m sticking it out. I’m here in California because I believe in fighting here in California for what Californians deserve. And that’s why I’m supporting Chad Bianco.” He framed his endorsement as a fight to reclaim the state for residents, not politicians.
With Newsom nearing the end of his allowable time in the governor’s office, talk of a national campaign is already heating up. Newsom himself admitted he was considering higher office when he said “I’d be lying” if he claimed otherwise. That line has Republicans worried because they see a recipe for exporting California’s failures onto the national stage.
Lamas pointed to visible crises in Los Angeles and San Francisco as proof of systemic failure and poor state leadership. The homeless population growing despite massive spending is a central complaint he raised, and he asked bluntly, “So, where’s the money?” He insisted there is a lack of clear accounting for welfare dollars and that millions are going untracked.
“So much money has been budgeted for programs to help these people, and I see no difference other than it’s growing. So, where’s the money?” he said. “There’s nobody that’s accounting for the millions of dollars that are spent on welfare programs that’s not benefiting anybody that can use it. So, it’s a tremendous amount of mismanagement. And I think Governor Newsom has done a horrific job in accountability about where the money’s gone.” Those lines underline a classic conservative critique about government spending without results.
On public safety and immigration, Lamas connected sanctuary policies to rising crime, and he voiced frustration that federal enforcement could be rebuffed by state and local officials. “The problem with the undocumented is that it’s systemic,” said Lamas. “When you have sanctuary cities, you have higher crime rates. And listen, I’m a Christian, I believe that we’re all God’s children. But I also believe that we have laws that need to be obeyed, laws that need to be followed. And without law, there’s complete chaos.”
He also argued that local leaders have been obstructive when it comes to federal efforts to remove criminals and individuals in the country illegally. That criticism reflects a Republican priority on backing federal law enforcement and restoring order. Lamas framed his stance as faith-aligned but firm on the need for enforceable laws.
When Lamas’ criticisms were floated to the governor’s office, the response was dismissive and terse, reduced to a single-word reply: “Who?” That curt dismissal only widened the gulf between the governor and rank-and-file Californians who feel their concerns are ignored. For conservatives, that exchange symbolizes a leader more interested in headlines than in fixing real-world problems.
Newsom’s potential national ambitions would pit him against whatever Republican emerges to succeed the current administration, and conservatives see this as a dangerous matchup if his record is left unchallenged. The GOP argument is straightforward: a leader who presided over California’s decline should not be entrusted with the nation’s highest office. Lamas made that point in no uncertain terms, urging voters to consider consequences.
If Chad Bianco secures the Republican nomination, he faces a steep climb in a deeply Democratic state, but his law-and-order message is exactly the contrast Lamas and other critics want to draw. Democrats lining up include high-profile figures such as Rep. Eric Swalwell and former Rep. Katie Porter, who present very different ideas for California’s future. The campaign will hinge on whether voters want to stick with the current approach or demand a course correction grounded in accountability and public safety.
