NEWNow you can hearken to Fox Information articles!
EXCLUSIVE: Final Preventing Championship pioneer and legend Royce Gracie has endorsed a pro-law enforcement candidate who’s working for governor in California.
One of many largest names in blended martial arts and the primary UFC champion, Gracie made a reputation for himself by taking down a lot bigger opponents via precision and talent.
Now he’s weighing into the political sphere within the race to switch Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who’s term-limited and broadly rumored to have 2028 presidential ambitions.
In a press release to Fox Information Digital, Gracie stated he’s endorsing sheriff Chad Bianco’s long-shot bid to switch Newsom in 2026. Gracie, a three-time UFC champion, known as Bianco a “fighter” who’s “precisely who we’d like.”
KATIE PORTER SAYS SHE REGRETS VIRAL OUTBURSTS AT REPORTER, STAFFER
Riverside County, California sheriff Chad Bianco pronounces his 2026 Republican marketing campaign for governor, within the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, in Riverside, California, on Feb. 17, 2025. (Chad Bianco marketing campaign)
“When Gavin Newsom closed companies, colleges, and church buildings, one individual stood towards him, Sheriff Chad Bianco,” Gracie advised Fox Information Digital.
“Chad Bianco didn’t fold. He’s a fighter, and a fighter is precisely who we’d like as Governor of California,” he added, saying, “We want his energy to show this state round after the mess Gavin Newsom has created.”
Bianco, who’s a vocal Trump supporter and the sheriff of Riverside County, simply east of Los Angeles, introduced his gubernatorial candidacy again in February, saying, “Californians deserve higher.”
He has framed his candidacy round restoring security and a greater high quality of life to California.
“This marketing campaign is not going to be in regards to the divide between Republicans and Democrats. It is going to be in regards to the frequent aim all of us have for a greater California,” Bianco emphasised at his marketing campaign launch.
“As Californians, we would like management that truly cares about the price of dwelling …and leaders who will do one thing about it,” Bianco stated in his handle. “We would like properties we will afford. We would like air con when it is sizzling, not rolling blackouts. We would like water for the crops and animals that feed us. We would like the chance to realize the California Dream, not be prevented from it due to crimson tape and regulation from authorities. We would like honesty and transparency from our elected officers. We would like decrease taxes and fewer authorities waste. We would like sanity restored and customary sense to prevail.”
PELOSI SPOKESMAN SIDESTEPS RETIREMENT RUMORS AS DEM PRIMARY THREATS WAIT IN WINGS

Jiu-Jitsu black belt Royce Gracie kicks at cruiserweight boxer Artwork Jimmerson throughout a 1st spherical match within the Final Fighter Championships in Denver, Colorado. Gracie went on to win the match and ultimately the championship. (Markus Boes)
Bianco, who has labored in regulation enforcement for greater than three many years, was first elected sheriff in 2018. A vocal critic of Newsom and smooth on crime insurance policies, Bianco was one of many leaders who helped push California’s Proposition 36 poll measure to a landslide victory in final November’s elections. The measure, which took impact in December, mandates stiffer penalties and longer sentences in California for sure drug and theft crimes.
In response to Gracie’s endorsement, Bianco advised Fox Information Digital that “Californians are waking up, and we’re going to clear up this state.”
“Gavin Newsom has been chasing away Californians in document numbers,” he stated, including, “I’m grateful for the assist of patriots like Royce Gracie.”
Fox Information Digital reached out to Newsom’s workplace for remark however didn’t obtain a press release by the point of publication.
Bianco is going through a steep uphill battle to win as a Republican in deep blue California. It has been practically twenty years since a Republican gained a statewide race.
Although nonetheless early, the present frontrunner to be Newsom’s successor is former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, a progressive who has made resisting President Donald Trump a central theme of her marketing campaign.
CALIFORNIA FIREFIGHTERS TOLD TO IGNORE SIGNS OF A FIRE: REPORT

Republican Sheriff Chad Bianco (left) obtained an endorsement from UFC legend Royce Gracie (proper) for California governor. (Photographs courtesy of Chad Bianco Marketing campaign)
Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Well being and Human Companies Secretary below the Biden administration and former California lawyer common, can also be working for the Democratic nomination.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The Democratic and Republican primaries shall be held on June 2 subsequent 12 months and the overall election shall be on Nov. 3.