prices in the country,” said Henderson. “We have a lot of oil under the ground that we’re not even using, but we buy everything, and we have a big deficit every year, because we’re not utilizing our resources.”
Praise for Chad Bianco on Handling the COVID Pandemic
However, Henderson’s criticism was tempered by praise for Sheriff Bianco’s approach during the pandemic. In 2020, when many states enforced strict stay-at-home orders from Newsom’s office, Bianco publicly refused to enforce them in Riverside County.
“It was kind of a blessing that he didn’t shut everything down as long as we were being responsible with everything,” Henderson told Fox News. “I kind of admired how he handled that whole situation.”
Henderson added, “He’s got a lot of great ideas.” This sentiment echoes Bianco’s past statements where he described himself as the last line of defense against “tyrannical government overreach,” particularly in relation to vaccine mandates.
Political Landscape and Polling Data
The endorsement by Henderson, known for his business ventures including Dan Henderson’s Athletic Fitness Center and Hendo’s Barrel House, comes at a time when the political race is still wide open. According to a recent poll from the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley, Bianco leads with 13% support among likely voters.
However, other candidates like Democrat Katie Porter (11%) and Xavier Becerra (8%) are also in contention. The poll indicates that nearly half (44%) of respondents remain undecided, suggesting the race is far from settled.
“The results suggest that the governor’s race remains wide open,” said Eric Schickler, Co-Director of IGS. “Now that Proposition 50 has passed, the candidates will need to seize the opportunity to get voters’ attention.”
Historical Context and Future Implications
The last time a Republican governor was elected in California was in 2003 with Arnold Schwarzenegger. This endorsement by Henderson adds momentum to Bianco’s campaign, especially considering Henderson’s influence as both an athlete and businessman.
“Now that Proposition 50 has passed, the candidates will need to get voters’ attention,” said Eric Schickler from IGS. “This is a pivotal moment for both Democratic and Republican hopefuls in the race to replace Gavin Newsom.”
With undecided voters still in play and a competitive field, the coming months could be crucial for Bianco’s campaign as he seeks to solidify his support among potential voters.
