FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) \u2014 Riverside County Sheriff and Republican gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco is making a final push across California, pitching himself as a political outsider.<\/p>\n
In an exclusive one-on-one interview with FOX26 anchor Madison Macay during a Fresno campaign stop Friday, Sheriff Bianco said Californians are increasingly frustrated with the state\u2019s high cost of living, ongoing water issues, and what he called a \u201cgovernment-created\u201d water crisis after years of Democratic leadership.<\/p>\n
Water and Valley Agriculture<\/p>\n
Bianco says California\u2019s water crisis is not caused by weather, but by state government.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re not in a drought. We\u2019ve never been in a drought,<\/p>\n
Bianco said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of our water, every single year, 70% of it is forced out to the ocean.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bianco said farmers in the Central Valley are being hurt by state regulations, environmental restrictions and a lack of water storage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is government caused,\u201d Bianco said. \u201cThis is a purposeful mismanage of water.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bianco said if elected governor, he would work to remove regulations he believes prevent the state from building more dams, storing stormwater and replenishing groundwater.<\/p>\n
He also claimed every farmer in California would get \u201c100% of the water that they need\u201d under his administration.<\/p>\n
Cost of Living and Regulations<\/p>\n
Bianco said California\u2019s rising cost of living is largely driven by government regulations, taxes, and energy policies. During the interview, he repeatedly argued that state leaders have made California “too expensive” for families and businesses.<\/p>\n
We shouldn\u2019t be punished for living in California.<\/p>\n
He added: <\/p>\n
We shouldn\u2019t be punished for opening a business.<\/p>\n
Bianco explained if he were to be elected governor, he would work to remove regulations tied to oil production, agriculture, housing and development. He also claimed Californians would no longer pay a state income tax under his administration.<\/p>\n
The Republican candidate said he wants California to become more energy independent and argued the state should rely more heavily on its own oil production and natural resources.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are going to have the cheapest gas, or if not the cheapest gas, in the entire country once we\u2019re oil independent,\u201d Bianco said.<\/p>\n
Bianco also claimed California is losing residents because of taxes and regulations.<\/p>\n
\u201cNone of us want to leave California,\u201d Bianco said. \u201cWe feel like we\u2019re pressured out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Energy and the California Air Resources Board<\/p>\n
Bianco sharply criticized California energy regulators and environmental agencies during the interview, including the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Air Resources Board, commonly known as CARB.<\/p>\n
He accused state leaders of prioritizing regulations over affordability and grid reliability while Californians continue facing high utility bills and gas prices.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only thing the CPUC is doing is making sure utilities make record profits,\u201d Bianco said.<\/p>\n