Palmdale Lt. Oscar Martinez Enters LA Sheriff Race

Lt. Oscar Martinez, a U.S. Marine veteran and watch commander at the Palmdale sheriff’s station, has officially jumped into the race for Los Angeles County sheriff, adding his name to an already crowded primary field. Martinez says he will center his campaign on modernizing department systems, backing line deputies, and restoring what he calls "strong, principled leadership." His name is set to appear on the June 2, 2026, primary ballot, where any candidate who secures a majority of votes can win the office outright.

Martinez's background and reasons for running

Martinez has spent roughly 16 years with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after serving in the U.S. Marines, working in the jails, serving as a chief’s executive aide, and acting as a departmental spokesman. As reported by The Los Angeles Times, Martinez told attendees he was pushed to run after colleagues voiced growing frustration over leadership and discipline inside the agency. He is a registered Republican, but he has described the sheriff’s race as nonpartisan and framed his bid around public safety and support for deputies rather than party labels.

Policy priorities

On his campaign site, Martinez highlights plans to upgrade dispatch and transportation systems, defend Second Amendment rights, and seek fiscal changes so deputies have reliable equipment, according to Oscar4Sheriff.com. He has also said he would push for closer cooperation with federal immigration authorities and for tweaks to state rules that limit local immigration holds. Those pitches are aimed squarely at rank-and-file deputies, who Martinez says feel understaffed and under-supported.

Race, math, and what’s next

The contest now pits Martinez against a deep field that includes former Sheriff Alex Villanueva and other LASD veterans; FOX 11 notes the June 2 primary could decide the office outright if any candidate clears 50 percent. The Los Angeles County Registrar’s certified candidate list shows Martinez among those who filed to run, giving his campaign an official path onto the ballot. Incumbency presents a steep hurdle, and experts quoted by The Times note that incumbents win reelection at a very high rate, so Martinez’s message will have to move well beyond department ranks if he hopes to unseat Sheriff Robert Luna.