GOP Candidates in California Governor’s Race at Odds Over Vote Splitting

Sheriff Chad Bianco has rejected a call by GOP frontrunner Steve Hilton to withdraw from the case.

(Left) California gubernatorial candidate and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco in San Francisco on April 22, 2026. (Right) California gubernatorial candidate and former Fox News host Steve Hilton in San Francisco on April 22, 2026. Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images

Tensions remain high between the top two Republicans in the California governor’s race as Tuesday’s primary looms.

Candidate and former Fox News host Steve Hilton recently called on Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to drop out of the race, saying that splitting the Republican vote could lead to two Democrats facing off in November’s election.