Former L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has officially announced he will be running in the 2026 race for the position he used to hold.
Reports that emerged last weekend indicated Villanueva had registered his campaign committee for the race, but he confirmed his candidacy announcement on Wednesday.
“The rumors are true: I’m running again for Sheriff of Los Angeles County,” Villanueva said in a press release.
Villanueva, who was L.A. County’s 33rd Sheriff between 2018 and 2022, stated that one of the primary reasons he’s running again is due to “failed leadership” throughout the county.
“Over the last several years, Los Angeles County has seen the consequences of failed leadership, not just in the Sheriff’s Department, but across our local government,” Villanueva said. “Promises made in 2022 have been replaced with a grim result — over a quarter of the workforce gone, an ongoing exodus of experienced personnel, and a tragedy of deputy suicides and in-custody deaths.”
The ex-Sheriff lamented that “lawlessness has become the new normal” across the county, and that he hopes to bring “steady, proven leadership” back to all residents.
“On our streets, lawlessness has become the new normal, with street takeovers, looting, and organized burglary crews terrorizing our communities,” he said. “Families feel unsafe, and deputies feel unsupported. It’s time to bring steady, proven leadership back to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.”
“We must rescue this department from paralyzing dysfunction, rebuild it back to full strength, and restore our capacity to fight, solve and prevent crime,” he continued. “That includes ensuring we can respond swiftly to disasters and emergencies and being able to evacuate vulnerable residents in harm’s way when every second counts.”
Overall, Villanueva said he aims to “take politics out of public safety” with his 2026 campaign.
“This campaign is about building a safer, stronger future,” he said. “I’ve walked this path before, and I’m returning with broader experience, more clarity and a deeper commitment to the people who deserve better.”
Villanueva was unseated as the head of the nation’s largest sheriff’s department by former Long Beach Police Department Chief Robert Luna in November 2022.
During his tenure, Villanueva faced widespread criticism over legal battles and department controversies, including alleged deputy gangs, but he long maintained they did not exist. Upon being elected, Luna took a “zero tolerance” stance on alleged deputy gangs and appointed an independent office to investigate them.
Villanueva has remained publicly active since leaving office, frequently weighing in on law enforcement and county politics via social media and broadcast appearances.
Luna, who took office after defeating Villanueva in a runoff election, has already declared his intention to seek reelection in 2026.
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