Alex Villanueva, former L.A. County Sheriff, has officially thrown his hat back into the ring, announcing his intention to run for Sheriff in the 2026 election. Villanueva, who served from 2018 until 2022, desires to reclaim the role after his defeat by Robert Luna, the current sheriff. As reported by ABC7, Villanueva is campaigning on a platform of depoliticizing public safety and restoring what he sees as desperately needed leadership to the sheriff's department.
Villanueva's campaign, announced through a live video, as noted by FOX 11, is aimed directly at addressing issues such as street takeovers, looting, and organized burglary groups. With a campaign promise to "bring steady, proven leadership back to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department," Villanueva highlighted to quickly and adequately respond to disasters and emergencies as a key issue.
The race for the sheriff's seat in 2026 is not without competition. Apart from Villanueva and the incumbent Luna, two other candidates have announced their intentions to run. As FOX 11 details, Lt. Oscar Martinez and retired Capt. Mike Bornman are both vying for the position. Martinez, speaking on the need for reform, has committed to bringing "operational excellence, transparency, and courage" to the department, while Bornman emphasizes the necessity for new direction and leadership to tackle the department’s issues, including declining morale and public support.
Public safety and departmental reforms are resounding themes among the candidates, with Villanueva pledging to "rescue this department from paralyzing dysfunction," as stated in a press release quoted by KTLA. Villanueva's past tenure was marked by numerous controversies, including clashes with the Board of Supervisors, an alleged lack of enforcement of COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and accusations of mishandling department investigations. Despite these challenges, Villanueva has remained publicly engaged in law enforcement discussions since his departure from office.
As quoted from his campaign announcement, Villanueva expresses a strong commitment to "building a safer, stronger future" for Los Angeles County. As the election approaches, the discourse among the candidates is expected to intensify, focusing on their respective visions for law enforcement and the future of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
