Nightly Scroll with Hayley

Episode 203: California’s Future w/ Sheriff Chad Bianco

Date: December 23, 2025
Host: Hayley Caronia
Guest: Sheriff Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff and Republican candidate for California Governor

Episode Overview

In this fiery and candid episode, Hayley Caronia sits down with Riverside County Sheriff and gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco to discuss California’s struggles under Democratic leadership and his vision for the state’s future. Covering issues ranging from public safety, homelessness, and government corruption to trans policies and the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial race, the conversation offers a sharp conservative critique of “one-party rule” and a call to reclaim the California dream. Sheriff Bianco outlines his campaign themes, the challenges of reversing entrenched progressive policies, and the hope for a political shift in California.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Motivation for Running for Governor

• Broken State of California: Sheriff Bianco explains his decision to run stems from witnessing a state “ruined and destroyed by bad policies”—with career politicians offering only “the same or worse” if Democrats remain in control.

  “Everything in California is broken… If we don’t win this, it’s going to be the same or worse.” — Chad Bianco [02:20]

• Appeal to Trust and Common Sense: Emphasizes the need for a leader “who cares about people other than themselves or a special agenda.”

  “They want somebody they can trust, someone they can look to and know is going to care about other people more than themselves.” — Bianco [03:17]

The California Dream—Lost and Worth Saving

• California Has It All: Bianco expresses deep pride in the state's natural beauty and resources, highlighting its beaches, mountains, deserts, businesses, and communities.

  “California has every single thing that any other state in the country has… Everything here is absolutely amazing. It unfortunately is just being ruined, destroyed by bad policies.” — Bianco [04:12]

• A Dream Out of Reach: He laments the loss of the “California dream” for younger generations and the embarrassment many now feel about being Californians.

  “I’ve watched that dream slip away … from everyone proud to be a Californian to now we’re embarrassed to tell anybody we’re from California when we go somewhere else.” — Bianco [05:15]

Why Stay and Fight?

• Warning to Would-Be Exiters: Bianco cautions those considering leaving California that bad policies will follow.

  “If we don’t take care of California…every state is going to turn into California.” — Bianco [07:19]

• Geography of Discontent: Majority of the state is “very, very red,” but a few populous blue areas dictate policy and undermine the rest.

  “It’s just the populace blue parts of Los Angeles, San Francisco, the Bay Area... they’ve lost their mind.” — Bianco [07:54]

Crime, Public Safety, and “Criminal Justice Reform”

• Widespread Crime Concern: Bianco asserts crime is the top issue, citing failed reforms and widespread voter support for tougher laws ignored by politicians.

  “Every single county in the state voted for [the new crime proposition]… Democrats are going the wrong direction on public safety.” — Bianco [10:43]

• "Reform" as a Political Smokescreen: He criticizes “criminal justice reform” as a play on words masking policies which “enable” criminals.

  “There is absolutely no such thing as criminal justice reform. That is a play on words for the Democrat party… California’s version of reform is this absolute sick and twisted perversion with criminals.” — Bianco [11:38]

• Ballot Manipulation: Warns against misleading initiatives like the “Safe Schools and Safe Streets Initiative” which, in his view, legalizes crime rather than addressing it.

  “What that was: the downfall of public safety in California. It legalized crime.” — Bianco [13:11]

Powers & Promises as Governor

• Regulatory Reform by Executive Action: Many costly policies are regulatory, not legislative, he says.

  “Those are government regulations… As governor, I can remove all of those with a stroke of a pen.” — Bianco [15:05]

• Accusations of Intentional Harm: Bianco claims current leaders want “complete control over our lives,” invoking “socialist Democrats of California.”

  “They want us struggling. They want us to not be able to afford gas, to not be able to afford rent. They want to have complete control over our lives.” — Bianco [16:13]

Homelessness and Government Corruption

• “Homeless Industrial Complex”: Bianco accuses nonprofits and NGOs of profiteering, calling it “money laundering of taxpayer money.”

  “It’s government waste. It’s money laundering of taxpayer money through a homeless industrial complex… There are thousands of people that have become millionaires over the homeless crisis.” — Bianco [17:24]

• Tackling Root Causes: Calls for ending funding to most nonprofits, focusing instead on mental health and addiction interventions.

  “The real issue… is not homes... It’s a drug-induced psychosis… with sometimes a mental health crisis.” — Bianco [19:02]

Housing, Fires, and “15-Minute Cities”

• Rebuilding Obstacles after Fires: Bianco condemns government red tape preventing home rebuilds after Pacific Palisades fires; claims a push for centralized, government-controlled “15-minute cities.”

  “They want to design… L.A. 2.0. This is their opportunity to build their 15-minute cities where it’s government housing… within 15 minutes walking distance. So you don’t need a car anymore.” — Bianco [20:23]

Accountability and Fraud (Fire Aid Controversy)

• Misuse of Donations: Bianco suggests mismanagement and possible fraud in the Fire Aid concert funds, with alleged connections to Governor Newsom’s family.

  “Where is that money? That money was supposed to go to the victims. No victims [got] any of that money.” — Bianco [26:53]

• Billions Unaccounted For: Expands criticism to $25 billion misspent on homelessness with “no accounting measures… You can’t tell me that that is not a crime.” — Bianco [27:09]

Terrorism, School Safety, and Guns

• LA Terror Plot: Praises law enforcement for foiling a multi-site terror attack; highlights the ever-present threat in a state with major venues.

  “It’s our biggest nightmare… We are so grateful for the hard work… to stop them before they could carry it out.” — Bianco [28:00]

• Gun-Free Zones and School Safety: Calls “no gun zones” and removing cops from schools “silly” and dangerous, accusing Democrats of “blaming cops for kids getting in trouble.”

  “You have the softest target you could possibly imagine and you’re inviting bad things to happen there.” — Bianco [30:25]

  “California is currently attempting to take school resource officers out of all of their schools… they are purposely creating environment where our kids are going to be hurt.” — Bianco [31:15]

Policing & BLM Narrative

• Rejecting “Anti-Cop” Claims: Bianco argues most Californians respect law enforcement, and the narrative is media and politician-driven.

  “We know in this profession that the majority of the people in our communities absolutely love and respect law enforcement.” — Bianco [33:19]

  “We’re not worried at all about what the public thinks of law enforcement, especially me as a sheriff running for the office of governor.” — Bianco [35:08]

• COVID Response: He touts his refusal to enforce “ridiculous lockdowns and orders” as earning public support. — [35:19]

Newsom, the Trans Agenda, and Reversing Progressive Policies

• Newsom’s Political Ambition: Bianco and Hayley critique Newsom’s presidential aspirations and his “most pro-trans governor” stance.

  “I think the public outcry when they really see here what the legislature has done … particularly in this arena, they’re going to be outraged.” — Bianco [36:53]

• Trans Policies: Bianco condemns legislation allowing minors to transition, calling it “legal child abuse.”

  “To say…you can commit a crime with no recourse until you’re 26…But…a 12 year old can decide that they’re going to mutilate their body… It’s legal child abuse.” — Bianco [37:42–38:37]

Sanctuary State Policies & the Cost of Illegal Immigration

• On Sanctuary Laws: Bianco blames rising deficits and crime on generous benefits for illegal immigrants, accusing the state of allowing them to vote and undermining citizens’ rights.

  “California allows them to vote… Because of [sanctuary] policies… our budget… $18 billion deficit… is going to be like 35 billion. If the majority of that money is from free things that have been given to people who are in this country illegally, all of that has to end.” — Bianco [40:36–41:35]

The 2026 Governor’s Race: Strategy and Hopes

• Hard Reality and Path to Victory: Bianco acknowledges Democrat strongholds but focuses on winning moderates and dissatisfied Democrats.

  “We’re in the perfect position right now to make a change in California... Our campaign is going to be a little bit different. We’re going for the middle.” — Bianco [44:07–44:52]

  “Democrats will cross party line for safety. They will cross party line…to bring safety back into California.” — Bianco [45:30]

• Polls and Candidacy Edge: Claims to lead in recent polls—even over Democrats—attributed to his “straight-talking, honest, common sense” approach.

  “Six out of the last seven polls show me in the lead… This is a grassroots campaign… People want something different.” — Bianco [46:11]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “California has every single thing that any other state…has…It unfortunately is just being ruined, destroyed by bad policies.” — Chad Bianco [04:12]
• “There is absolutely no such thing as criminal justice reform. That is a play on words for the Democrat party…” — Chad Bianco [11:38]
• “It’s government waste…money laundering of taxpayer money through a homeless industrial complex…” — Chad Bianco [17:24]
• “You have the softest target you could possibly imagine and you’re inviting bad things to happen there [with gun-free zones].” — Chad Bianco [30:25]
• “To say that…you can commit a crime with no recourse until you’re 26…But…a 12 year old can decide that they’re going to mutilate their body… It’s legal child abuse.” — Chad Bianco [37:42–38:37]
• “Charles Manson could be elected governor in California if he was the only one that they could vote for.” — Chad Bianco [44:39]
• “We’re going for the middle…Democrats will cross party line for safety.” — Chad Bianco [45:11]

Important Timestamps

• [02:20] — Why Bianco is running; critique of California’s Democratic leaders
• [04:12] — California’s assets and pride; the “dream” slipping away
• [07:19] — Why those leaving California should reconsider; blue vs. red dynamics
• [10:43] — Crime and public safety as central issues; widespread support for change
• [13:11] — “Safe Schools and Safe Streets Initiative” as a misleading law
• [15:05] — How a governor can repeal regulations and reverse policies
• [17:24] — Homeless industrial complex and alleged corruption
• [20:23] — Government obstacles to rebuilding after fires, “15-minute city” push
• [26:53] — Allegations of Fire Aid mismanagement
• [28:00] — Threat of terror attacks in LA and importance of law enforcement
• [30:25] — Dangers of gun-free school zones; Democratic hypocrisy on policing
• [33:19] — Public support for law enforcement vs. anti-cop narratives
• [36:53] — Reaction to Newsom’s “most pro-trans governor” positioning
• [40:36] — Economic and social costs of sanctuary policies
• [44:07] — Bianco’s campaign focus: attracting moderates and dissatisfied Democrats
• [46:11] — Poll standing and Bianco’s candidacy appeal

Tone and Language Notes

• Hayley: Witty, unapologetic, intentionally provocative; frames the conversation as a battle for the soul of California and America.
• Bianco: Direct, critical of the status quo, appeals to “common sense” and the “real Californian”; adopts a “no-nonsense,” almost populist, tone.

Conclusion

This episode lays out a stark conservative vision for California’s recovery, contrasting “common sense” Republican reform with what is characterized as catastrophic Democratic “one-party rule.” Sheriff Bianco emphasizes public safety, government accountability, and a return to foundational values—pitching himself as an anti-politician who can unite moderate voters and disillusioned Democrats. The conversation is marked by frequent criticism of Governor Newsom, deep skepticism about public policies on crime, homelessness, and social issues, and an urgent call to “take California back” in 2026.