BRIAN R. MARVEL
PORAC President

PORAC California Governor Endorsement

Last month, PORAC announced its endorsements for California governor — endorsing both Republican Chad Bianco and Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa. Yes, you read that right; it’s the first time we’ve backed two candidates for the same spot. The Board’s decision reflects PORAC’s enduring leadership in California and, above all, our commitment to representing the diverse voices of our membership.

Think about it: Bianco, Riverside County’s sheriff since 2018, has been in the trenches, pushing for transparency and putting victims at the center of everything. He’s beefed up recruitment and training, stabilizing the department’s budget and ramping up staffing to get more boots on the ground where they’re needed most. Imagine responding to a domestic call, knowing you’ve got backup because you have a fully staffed department, that’s the kind of real-world impact Bianco delivers. On the other side, Villaraigosa, former L.A. mayor and Assembly speaker, didn’t just talk a good game; he grew the LAPD force by almost a thousand officers, rolled out community policing that built trust on the streets and slashed violent crime by nearly 50% during his eight years in office. Gang-related crimes? Cut in half. That’s fewer shootings, safer neighborhoods and officers who can focus on protecting families instead of playing catch-up.

Both candidates have been in the trenches, with scars and successes to show they’re committed to improving law enforcement and public safety. We’re talking about recruitment that brings in top talent, retention strategies like better pay and mental health support to keep us from burning out, protecting labor rights against bad reforms and safeguarding pensions so retirees aren’t left hanging and the PEBRA members’ concerns are addressed. Bianco and Villaraigosa get it — they’ve tackled these head-on and delivered results that make California safer for everyone.

When I was first elected president, PORAC never did questionnaires. That was one of the first major changes I wanted to instill in our endorsement process starting with the 2020 election cycle. We have been using them ever since. With that said, during the last Board meeting at the 2024 annual Conference of Members, the Board determined what the vetting process would look like for the governor’s race. We hosted a meet-and-greet at the February Board of Directors meeting. This gave each director an opportunity to speak with and ask questions of the candidates.

Here was the lineup: Riverside County Sheriff Bianco, former L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa, former State Controller Betty Yee, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, former State Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Michael Younger. We dug into their views on recruitment, retention, labor rights, pension protection and more — making sure their plans lined up with what our members face every shift. Some candidates skipped out or couldn’t make it, but we respect those who showed up ready to prove they’re in our corner.

Once that was completed, we sent out detailed 2026 governor’s questionnaires. We had questions on issues of importance for PORAC members: How will you boost recruitment amid shortages? What’s your plan to fix PEBRA? How do you keep public safety strong without tying officers’ hands?

PORAC’s decision to endorse Bianco and Villaraigosa came after a heated vote at our August Board meeting, born from rancorous and vigorous deliberation where every director got their chance to speak their piece loud and clear. Once the dust settled, we united behind our choice, convinced that both candidates have consistently proven they’ve got law enforcement’s back and can deliver real results on public safety. Backing one candidate from each major party drives home PORAC’s nonpartisan mission: we champion public safety warriors, no matter their political stripe. Together, we’re certain Bianco’s and Villaraigosa’s records and leadership make them rock-solid allies for peace officers, crime victims and our communities across California.

Regardless of the outcome of this race, PORAC will continue to be the voice for law enforcement in California. As the state’s largest law enforcement organization, representing over 87,000 members, PORAC will continue working tirelessly with all elected leaders who have the vision, experience and ability to support the men and women of law enforcement and address the state’s most pressing public safety challenges. Our top priority is to ensure the rank-and-file’s voice is heard, our profession’s interests are represented and our members’ rights are protected.

We look forward to seeing these candidates guide California toward a safer future.