Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican candidate for California governor, posted a video on X stating that he would eliminate the state’s gas tax if elected. In the clip, Bianco argues that California does not need the tax to fund roads and should instead address waste, fraud, and abuse, noting the state’s poor road conditions despite high gas taxes. The post has drawn widespread online attention, with users posting sharply divided reactions on government spending and infrastructure priorities.
The clip is from the California Republican gubernatorial debate on The Hill’s Decision Desk 26 “Debate Night,” where Bianco was answering a moderator’s question about funding roads if the gas tax is eliminated.
In the video, Bianco speaks directly to the camera and declares that he would eliminate California’s gas tax if elected governor. He argues the state does not need the tax to fund roads and should instead cut waste, fraud, and abuse. He also states that California has the highest gas prices in the country because of Democrats’ policies that he says are destroying the automobile industry, forcing refineries and oil companies out of the state, and driving up the cost of gas and living overall.
The accompanying caption repeats the core message verbatim: “When I’m governor, the gas tax is gone. California doesn’t need a gas tax to fund roads; it needs to cut the waste, fraud, and abuse. We have terrible roads and high gas taxes. Make that make sense.” The post itself provides no further policy details or data beyond Bianco’s debate remarks.
Online Reactions to Bianco’s Gas Tax Pledge
Some users supported the focus on reducing government waste, with one writing, “California would have money for roads if they hadn’t wasted $126 billion on a high-speed rail that has transported exactly 0 people.”
Others suggested shifting costs elsewhere, stating, “Tax trucking companies for the roads!! The math shows unequivocally that big rigs are responsible for 99% of the wear and tear of roads. Trucking companies must pay for this.”
Several commenters questioned Bianco’s priorities or record. One replied, “You’re never going to be Governor. If you actually cared about children, you would favor deportations to eliminate child trafficking, and you would do something about this instead of running for CA Governor.” Another added, “Great talking point, but your track record in your current career tells me that’s all it is….talk.”
Supporters expressed hope alongside concerns about the political environment, with one writing, “I really hope you win and if anything in that state was fair you would, but I know, you know it’s almost impossible to beat the amount of fraud that is about to happen at those polls, that iron grip of the criminals that run Cali is too strong and the corruption too deep… I wish you luck and pray for you to win, cause I sure would love to move my family back to the only place we can ever truly call home.”
Bianco’s post adds to the ongoing debate over California’s tax policies and infrastructure challenges as he campaigns for governor. The video continues to generate discussion among voters weighing different approaches to the state’s road funding and spending priorities.
