prices in the country,” he said, referencing his own daily expenses driving a Grenadier vehicle that costs about $100 to fill up. Henderson went on to say that while California has abundant oil reserves under its ground, the state is “buying everything” and facing an annual deficit due to poor resource utilization.
Bianco’s Approach During the Pandemic
While criticising Newsom for his handling of the pandemic, Henderson praised Sheriff Bianco for his more pragmatic approach. “It was kind of a blessing that he didn’t shut everything down as long as we were being responsible with everything,” Henderson explained. “I kind of admired how he handled that whole situation.” This contrasts sharply with Newsom’s stricter measures during the height of the pandemic, which included widespread stay-at-home orders and strict business closures.
Bianco garnered national attention in 2020 for his defiance against state-mandated COVID-19 restrictions. “We are the last line of defense from tyrannical government overreach,” Bianco once declared, refusing to enforce many mandates issued by Newsom’s office.
A Surprising Leap for Sheriff Bianco
According to a recent poll conducted by the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, Bianco has made a surprising leap over several prominent Democratic candidates. The survey revealed that 13 percent of likely voters support Bianco, compared to 11 percent for Democrat Katie Porter and just 8 percent for Xavier Becerra.
However, the poll also showed that 44 percent of respondents remain undecided, indicating an open race with significant room for movement. IGS Co-Director Eric Schickler commented, “The results suggest that the governor’s race remains wide open; with many Democratic voters still far from decided.” This leaves a clear indication that the upcoming campaign will be closely contested.
With no Republican governor elected in California since 2003, the political landscape is ripe for change.
Henderson’s endorsement could provide a significant boost to Bianco’s campaign, especially given Henderson’s celebrity status within the local and national sports community.
The last time a Republican was elected as Governor of California was in 2003 with Arnold Schwarzenegger taking office. As the race heats up, all eyes will be on both candidates to see who can gain the support needed to win next year’s election.