Royce Gracie, a pioneering UFC champion, has publicly backed Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco in his 2026 bid for governor of California, pitching him as a tough, law-and-order alternative to the current leadership. Gracie framed the endorsement around standing up to pandemic closures and restoring common-sense governance, while Bianco leans on a long career in law enforcement and a recent victory pushing tougher criminal penalties. The endorsement injects celebrity muscle into a long-shot Republican campaign in a state that has trended Democratic for decades.
Gracie’s legend in mixed martial arts gives his words weight beyond the usual campaign endorsements, and he used that platform bluntly. He called Bianco a “fighter” who is “exactly who we need.” That phrasing lands in a campaign that is trying to reframe safety and accountability as top voter concerns.
Gracie didn’t stop at labels and headlines. “When Gavin Newsom closed businesses, schools, and churches, one person stood against him, Sheriff Chad Bianco,” and Gracie hammered the contrast voters see between a political class that locked down and an official who resisted. “Chad Bianco didn’t fold. He’s a fighter, and a fighter is exactly who we need as Governor of California,” he added, saying, “We need his strength to turn this state around after the mess Gavin Newsom has created.”
Bianco’s pitch is straightforward and familiar to conservatives: more safety, fewer burdens on families, and an emphasis on practical governance. He announced his run in February with the blunt message, “Californians deserve better.” That line plays to voters fed up with rising costs, chronic grid problems, and what many see as an out-of-touch political class.
At his launch Bianco framed the campaign as something bigger than partisan theater and tried to speak to everyday frustrations. “This campaign will not be about the divide between Republicans and Democrats. It will be about the common goal we all have for a better California,” Bianco emphasized at his campaign launch. “As Californians, we want leadership that actually cares about the cost of living …and leaders who will do something about it,” Bianco said in his address. “We want homes we can afford. We want air conditioning when it’s hot, not rolling blackouts. We want water for the crops and animals that feed us. We want the opportunity to achieve the California Dream, not be prevented from it because of red tape and regulation from government. We want honesty and transparency from our elected officials. We want lower taxes and less government waste. We want sanity restored and common sense to prevail.”
His law-and-order credentials are central to the message: Bianco has spent more than three decades in policing and was first elected sheriff in 2018. He was a visible force behind last November’s Proposition 36 push, which passed handily and now enforces stiffer penalties and longer sentences for certain drug and theft crimes. That record gives him bona fides with voters who prioritize public safety and want accountability for repeat offenders.
Bianco welcomed Gracie’s support with a characteristically direct response that leaned into voter anger at the status quo. “Californians are waking up, and we are going to clean up this state.” He added, “Gavin Newsom has been chasing away Californians in record numbers,” and made a point of thanking allies: “I’m grateful for the support of patriots like Royce Gracie.”
The path forward is steep for any Republican in California; statewide GOP wins have been rare this century. Still, the contest already includes high-profile Democrats like former Rep. Katie Porter and Xavier Becerra, creating a contest that will test whether a tough-on-crime message can broaden beyond the party base. Primary day is set for June 2 next year, with the general election on Nov. 3, and endorsements like Gracie’s are the sort of splash that can change early momentum.
Celebrity backers won’t decide a campaign on their own, but Gracie’s nod gives Bianco a clear talking point and a louder megaphone for the law-and-order argument Republican voters favor. As the race unfolds, expect Bianco to emphasize enforcement, economic relief for families, and rolling back what he and supporters call excessive regulation, while challengers on the left argue for a different approach to governing California. The struggle between those visions is only getting started.
Darnell Thompkins is a Canadian-born American and conservative opinion writer who brings a unique perspective to political and cultural discussions. Passionate about traditional values and individual freedoms, Darnell’s commentary reflects his commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue. When he’s not writing, he enjoys watching hockey and celebrating the sport that connects his Canadian roots with his American journey.