Republican candidate for governor and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said he is proud of his former membership in the Oath Keepers militia.
The admission comes as Bianco seeks the state's highest office, raising questions about the compatibility of extremist militia ties with the leadership of California's law enforcement and executive branches.
During the gubernatorial debate on May 12, 2026 [2], Bianco addressed his history with the group. He confirmed he was a member of the organization in 2014 [1].
"I'm very proud of my time with the Oath Keepers," Bianco said on the debate stage [3].
Bianco said he views the affiliation as part of his personal history and a demonstration of his commitment to protecting constitutional rights [4]. The public disclosure followed the release of leaked emails regarding his past [4].
Democratic candidate Antonio Villaraigosa used the debate to challenge the sheriff's record. "We all know Chad Bianco, the Republican sheriff of Riverside County, is an Oath Keeper," Villaraigosa said [2].
The Oath Keepers is a far-right organization that has faced intense scrutiny for its role in domestic unrest. A former member testified that the group wanted an armed revolution, specifically referencing the organization's involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack [5].
Bianco currently serves as the elected sheriff of Riverside County. His campaign has framed his history as a commitment to the U.S. Constitution, while opponents argue it aligns him with extremist ideologies.
“"I'm very proud of my time with the Oath Keepers,"”
Bianco's public embrace of the Oath Keepers shifts the campaign focus toward the candidate's ideological alignment with militia movements. By expressing pride in the affiliation rather than distancing himself from it, Bianco is signaling a specific appeal to constitutionalist and right-wing voters, while providing political opponents with a focal point to question his adherence to the rule of law.
