“The rumors are true: I’m running again for Sheriff of Los Angeles.”
Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced Tuesday evening that he plans to seek his old position in 2026.
Villanueva made his campaign announcement in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter. He stood before a banner that read, “Alex Villanueva, Help is on the Way.”
“Over the last several years, Los Angeles County has seen the consequences of failed leadership,” Villanueva stated. He blamed this not just on the Sheriff’s Department but on local government overall.
In 2022, Robert Luna defeated Villanueva by a margin of 59.8% to 40.2%. A committee for Villanueva’s sheriff campaign was registered with the Secretary of State’s office over the weekend.
Villanueva criticized the current state of the department, saying, “Promises made in 2022 have been replaced with a grim result.” He pointed to a significant workforce reduction, an ongoing exodus of experienced personnel, and a rise in deputy suicides and in-custody deaths. He also noted an increase in street crime, including takeovers, looting, and organized burglary crews, leading to families feeling unsafe and deputies unsupported.
Villanueva, who previously defeated Jim McDonnell for the sheriff position in 2018, asserted that proven leadership is needed back in the department. He vowed to bring “steady, proven leadership back to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.”
The former sheriff described his campaign as a mission to build a safer, stronger future for the county. “I’ve walked this path before,” Villanueva said, “and I’m returning with broader experience, more clarity, and a deeper commitment to the people who deserve better.”
Villanueva faces a challenger in Lt. Oscar Martinez of the Sheriff’s Palmdale Station. Martinez announced his plans in April, stating a need for a leader who empowers deputies.
The rumors are true: I’m running again for Sheriff of Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/QhE0P9e98l
— Alex Villanueva (@AlexVillanueva) June 11, 2024
