Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has ended an investigation into alleged voter fraud related to a ballot proposition, reversing course after facing pushback from California's attorney general.
Bianco, a Trump ally and one of the leading Republican candidates for governor, had previously seized roughly 650,000 ballots as part of the inquiry. The investigation had become a flashpoint between his office and state law enforcement.
The halt represents a significant shift for Bianco, who built his profile as a fierce critic of election integrity and vocal supporter of former President Trump. His decision to abandon the probe signals potential concerns about the investigation's viability or political implications as he pursues the governorship.
Details about what prompted the halt and the investigation's findings remain unclear. The move suggests that the probe, which Bianco had positioned as a legitimate law enforcement action, may have faced legal or evidentiary obstacles that made continuation untenable.
Bianco's gubernatorial campaign has centered on conservative priorities and border security rhetoric aligned with Trump's platform. The reversal on the voter fraud investigation could influence perceptions of his credibility among both supporters and critics ahead of what promises to be a competitive Republican primary in California.
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