Blue state sheriff vows to ‘eliminate’ major tax if elected governor

A potential seismic shift in California politics is on the horizon as Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican candidate for governor, has proposed scrapping the state’s income tax altogether. In a recent video, Bianco argued that eliminating the income tax could entice people and businesses that have left the state due to high costs and the pandemic to return.

Bianco pointed out that nine states in the U.S. do not have a state income tax, questioning why California, the “greatest state in the country,” still imposes this tax on its residents. He believes that Californians would be better off keeping their hard-earned money instead of giving it to the government.

The sheriff’s proposal comes at a time when tax reform is a hot topic nationwide, with the anticipation of cuts under the Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress. Mississippi recently passed a law to completely eliminate its income tax, while Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte is pushing for tax cuts in his state.

However, Bianco may face an uphill battle in the California legislature, where Democrats hold a supermajority. High gas taxes and property taxes in California have also been a point of contention among taxpayers, with many calling for relief in the form of a gas tax holiday.

Despite the challenges, Bianco remains committed to his proposal, vowing to work towards eliminating the income tax for all Californians if elected governor. He plans to provide more details on the execution of the proposal in the future.

With current Governor Gavin Newsom unable to run for re-election in 2026, speculation is rife about potential contenders for the governor’s seat. While California is traditionally a Democratic stronghold, a recent poll showed that nearly half of likely voters would consider voting Republican in the upcoming gubernatorial race.

On the Democratic side, former Rep. Katie Porter, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, and possibly former Vice President Kamala Harris are rumored to be eyeing the governorship. As the race heats up, Bianco’s proposal to scrap the income tax could be a game-changer in California politics.

In conclusion, Sheriff Chad Bianco’s bold proposal to eliminate California’s income tax has the potential to shake up the state’s political landscape. With tax reform a hot topic nationwide and the upcoming gubernatorial race in California, Bianco’s plan could be a key issue in the campaign. Only time will tell if his proposal gains traction and resonates with voters in the Golden State.