Commentary — to start, as The New Founders Journal is not associated with any political party, we are here to report and highlight what is happening out there to inform voters like you of who is running in elections. Given the limited coverage from the Republican standpoint, we will focus on the Republican side of the race.
The Story:
A new contestant has entered the chat for California governor, carrying with him the promise of a historic milestone. Ché Ahn, of Korean heritage, has declared his candidacy, aiming to etch his name as perhaps the state’s first governor of Asian descent. His entry, announced this past weekend, stirs the currents of a race already brimming with ambition and possibility.
From the pages of the Sacramento Bee, reporter Nicole Nixon recounts the momentum of another contender, Chad Bianco, the steadfast Riverside County sheriff. Between January and June, Bianco amassed a formidable war chest of over $1.6 million, securing his place as a ribbon winner as a fundraiser in the Republican field.
Yet, his lead is narrow, for Steve Hilton, once a voice on Fox News, entered the fray in April and swiftly gathered more than $1.5 million. With Bianco’s two-month advantage, the contest for early momentum is tight, and one cannot help but wonder if these sums will prove a prelude to triumph or merely a fleeting flourish.
Meanwhile, whispers of another titan stir the political winds. Rick Caruso, a billionaire whose wealth casts a long shadow, is said to be contemplating a run, as noted by KFI News. Having poured over $100 million of his fortune into a failed mayoral bid against Karen Bass, Caruso now treads California’s breadth on a listening tour, meeting donors and weighing the state’s burdens.
Caruso’s capacity to self-fund grants him the rare privilege of deliberation, unhurried by the ticking clock that pressures his rivals. Should he choose to enter, the fortunes of Bianco and Hilton, substantial though they are, may pale before the resources Caruso could summon.
In this moment, as the candidates maneuver and the people watch, the race for California’s future takes shape—a tale of resolve, riches, and the hope of renewal, unfolding beneath the Golden State’s vast and watchful sky.
Updated List of Candidates:
Ché Ahn: Angelino Theologan
Slogan: “A New Vision for California”
Website: che4ca.com
Ché Ahn, born in South Korea after the war, embodies the resilience of an immigrant who pursued the American Dream. With over 40 years of leadership in community and humanitarian initiatives, including earning advanced degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary, he has dedicated his life to strengthening families and serving others.
Raised in a family that valued freedom and opportunity, Ahn was instilled with values of integrity and compassion, believing that “leadership begins with humility and service.” His campaign is a bold call to renew California, which he argues has been undermined by high taxes, a growing homelessness crisis, and policies disconnected from common sense.
“Californians deserve a Governor who leads with courage and compassion, not ideology,” Ahn declares, pledging to bring accountability to a state he sees as struggling with economic and social challenges. His experience as a community leader and advocate for constitutional rights grounds his promise to lower taxes, address homelessness effectively, and restore trust in governance.
Chad Bianco: The Sheriff’s Resolve
Slogan: “Only the Sheriff Can Save Us Now”
Website: biancoforgovernor.com
Chad Bianco, born in 1967 at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah, embodies the steadfastness of a man shaped by service. For 32 years of service with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, he has served as Riverside County Sheriff since 2018, witnessing firsthand the toll of what he calls Sacramento’s “failed policies.”
Raised in a small mining town, Bianco was instilled with values of integrity and perseverance, believing that “respect is earned through actions, character, and commitment to service.” His campaign is a clarion call to restore the California Dream, which he argues has become a nightmare for many due to rising taxes, crime, and an unaffordable housing market.
“Californians deserve a Governor who will fight for the people instead of Sacramento’s special interests,” Bianco declares, pledging to bring common sense to a state he sees as adrift. His experience as sheriff grounds his promise to address crime and rebuild trust in governance.
Steve Hilton: The Outsider’s Perspective
Slogan: “Golden Together”
Website: goldentogether.com
Steve Hilton, a California resident since 2012 and a U.S. citizen since 2021, brings a transatlantic perspective to the race. Once a senior policy and strategy advisor to former UK Prime Minister David Cameron and host of The Next Revolution on Fox News, Hilton has also taught at Stanford and founded the tech startup Crowdpac.
His campaign, Golden Together, reflects a blend of policy acumen and entrepreneurial zeal, focused on tackling California’s myriad challenges. Hilton’s outsider status—neither a career politician nor a native Californian—lends him a unique lens, one that sees California’s potential through the eyes of an adopted son eager to restore its luster.
Brandon Jones: The Faithful Reformer
Slogan: “Restore California”
Website: brandonrjones.org
Brandon Jones, a Christian, husband, father, and entrepreneur, anchors his campaign in faith and a commitment to service. As the founder of RESTORE California, Jones proposes a comprehensive plan to address the state’s crises—crime, housing, homelessness, education, healthcare, and environmental policy.
“My faith teaches me the importance of compassion, accountability, and serving others,” Jones asserts, framing his candidacy as a mission to create “safer streets, affordable housing, thriving communities, and a future we can believe in.”
His RESTORE California Solution offers practical steps, from supporting law enforcement to incentivizing affordable housing and expanding job training, all aimed at uplifting Californians burdened by economic and social challenges.
Daniel R. Mercuri: The Veteran’s Crusade
Slogan: “Starve the Government, Feed the People”
Website: danielforcalgovernor.com
Daniel R. Mercuri, a U.S. Navy veteran and Southern California native, enters the race with a fire born of frustration. A production company CEO, CFO of a private investment group, and advertising professional, Mercuri’s political journey began in 2019 as a congressional candidate, followed by runs in the 2021 recall and 2022 primary elections.
“As a veteran, I did not swear my oath to Communism, Marxism, Socialism or any other …ism for that matter,” he declares. “I swore the oath to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution.”
Mercuri sees California’s woes—rooted in what he calls systemic career politicians—as a betrayal of the people’s trust. His campaign is a battle cry against corruption, promising to dismantle the “Deep State” and restore constitutional liberties with a resolve forged in service and faith.
David Serpa: The Marine’s Mission
Slogan: “California 2.0: The Promise, The Purpose, The Plan”
Website: serpaforgovernor.com
David Serpa, a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran and successful real estate businessman, brings a disciplined vision to the race. His campaign, rooted in “integrity, service, and accountability,” pledges to run California “with the discipline of a business, the heart of a public servant, and the boldness of a pioneer.”
Serpa’s platform emphasizes transparency and a people-first approach, drawing on his experience in combat and community leadership to protect families, veterans, and the vulnerable. His mantra—“We tell the truth, keep our word, and earn trust through action”—reflects a commitment to rebuilding trust in a state weary of empty promises.
Leo Zacky: The Agrarian Advocate
Slogan: “Let’s Take California Back”
Website: leozacky.com
Leo Zacky carries the legacy of Zacky Farms, a century-old California poultry empire built by his great-grandfather. A former lobbyist for the California Poultry Federation and a hands-on executive, Zacky learned the business from the ground up, working alongside employees during the 2008 recession to save the family enterprise.
“During those years, I learned that everything has a cost,” he reflects, citing his battles with California’s excessive regulations, high taxes, and mismanagement. Zacky’s campaign is a pledge to “roll up his sleeves” and clean up Sacramento’s corruption and wasteful spending. Respected by agricultural and business communities, he positions himself as a constitutionalist and a man of the people, ready to address the state’s diverse needs.
In Closing
In California’s gubernatorial saga, the contours of the contest remain elusive, yet a vibrant energy pulses beneath the surface. The race, still in its early stirrings, promises a spectacle of ambition and ideals, with its outcome roughly three hundred days to the primary. It remains a possibility that none of these candidates make it into the top two in the blue state dominated by the voter power of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento.
Even so, for those seeking to understand the Republican Party candidates and their causes, the path is clear: The New Founders Journal pledges to walk this journey, chronicling the endeavors of these aspirants, amplifying their voices in a discourse too often fractured by discord.
Note: If we’ve missed any Republican candidates, please let us know!
SOURCES | BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ahn, Ché. “Meet Ché Ahn.” Ché Ahn for California Governor. Accessed August 5, 2025. https://che4ca.com/.
Bianco for Governor 2026. “From Sheriff to Governor: Protecting California.” Accessed July 31, 2025. https://biancoforgovernor.com.
Brandon Jones for Governor 2026. “A Bold Vision for California’s Future.” Accessed July 31, 2025. https://brandonrjones.org.
Daniel for California Governor. “Who Am I.” Accessed July 31, 2025. https://www.danielforcalgovernor.com.
Golden Together. “Meet Steve Hilton.” Accessed July 31, 2025. https://goldentogether.com/steve-hilton/.
KFI AM 640. “Rick Caruso Eyes California Governor’s Race After Harris Exit.” iHeart, August 4, 2025. https://kfiam640.iheart.com/content/2025-08-04-rick-caruso-eyes-california-governors-race-after-harris-exit/?pname=kfiam640.com&sc=dnsredirect.
Leo Zacky for Governor. “Our Candidate for 2026: Meet Leo.” Accessed July 31, 2025. https://leozacky.com/meet-leo/.
Nixon, Nicole, and David Lightman. “What’s Next for Kamala Harris? It Isn’t Governor of California.” Sacramento Bee, July 30, 2025. https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article311551289.html.
Serpa for Governor. “The Plan.” Accessed July 31, 2025. https://serpaforgovernor.com.