Steinbrenner, a recently retired sheriffs captain and 35-year-veteran of the department, joined the chorus of other candidates in decrying Villanuevas conduct, promising to bring more transparency to the office and to restore trust with other elected officials and community groups. LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced today that his campaign for his reelection has raised over $1.25 million. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who fought back against pandemic mandates and controversies during his first term, was in danger of losing his bid for reelection as early results favored his . L.A. County voters will decide their next sheriff on Nov. 8, an election that pits Sheriff Alex Villaneuva against Robert Luna, ex-chief of police for Long Beach. The Associated Press reported that Villanueva won 34% of the vote shy of the 50% margin required for the incumbent sheriff to avoid a runoff election. Whenever there was an executive meeting where decisions were made, he said, they would decide what the right thing to do was, and then figure out how to make it happen. But Villanueva certainly has the war chest of a front-running incumbent. ((Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)). The sheriffs race is particularly difficult to handicap, given the recent scrutiny the department has faced. The early returns also showed overwhelming support for Measure A, the ballot measure that would give the county's Board of Supervisors the power to fire a sitting sheriff, with 70% voting in favor. [41], Department officials conducted a threat assessment in August 2020 to identify risks to the sheriffs safety. He is a member of . Villanueva was at the center of multiple scandals during his term. Because he has never worked for the Sheriffs Department, Luna said, he will bring a fresh perspective. Villanueva then earned a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Northridge and a Doctorate of Public Administration from University of La Verne. Come December this year, theres going to be a new majority in the Board of Supervisors, Villanueva said, and Im confident it will be one of law and order that will invest in public safety and not divest from it.. Luna, born in East Los Angeles, spent 37 years with the Long Beach Police Department and, as chief, worked to diversify the agency, though women are still far underrepresented. Subscribers get early access to this story. He often clashed with members of the LA County Board of Supervisors and downplayed allegations that he allowed gang-like groups of deputies to run freely. The sheriff has been locked in a long-running power struggle with the countys Board of Supervisors, which controls the department's $3.8-billion budget. He has so far received $1.8 million in donations, more than six times that of his next closest opponent. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Reginald Hoffman and Lt. John Lindsay, sued the agency for racial discrimination. [37] Department policy at the time did not prohibit such an act. [27] One of the most prominent such groups is the "Banditos" at East Los Angeles Sheriff Station. A few in the crowd wore cowboy hats in an apparent nod to the one Villanueva has sometimes sported on the campaign trail. After his time at East Los Angeles Sheriff Station, Villanueva transferred to the Training Bureau where he served as a Drill Instructor at the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Academy. Beyond those issues, the candidates, including the incumbent, also discussed the homeless crisis, rising crime, jail reform, staffing and addressing mental health challenges among deputies. Villanueva suspended the department's participation in this program immediately after taking office, describing the cash payments as "blood money". Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva says deputies making arrests, but cases fall apart when they reach DA Gascon. Joe Collins, a Republican backed by Trump who tried to unseat U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles), was there, and Elsa Aldeguer, an activist whose social media accounts are filled with photos from pro-Trump rallies, gave a speech decrying the Black Lives Matter group. Im speaking hypothetically, obviously, not really. My contention is if you can pay for my housing while Im in jail, Rhambo said, why cant I have housing when I leave jail?. Villanueva and his Undersheriff Tim Murakami defied subpoenas to appear, with the latter saying "testifying would be too stressful and create an adverse health risk," the Los Angeles Times. Still, Luna said, he would demote or fire those found to violate his zero-tolerance for gangs. Market data provided by Factset. The board, which Villanueva noted endorsed embattled progressive Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon, usurped the sheriffs power to enforce the COVID-19 mandate for his departments employees earlier this year. 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Villanueva formally admitted defeat during a press conference at the Hall of Justice near downtown L.A. after the latest election results from the county registrar's office showed with more than 1.2 million ballots counted, his opponent won with just over 60% of the vote from county residents. Villanuevas camp would have you believe it knows what its doing. [21] In January 2021, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra launched a civil rights investigation of the LA County Sheriff's Department which sought to determine whether the LASD has engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing, following allegations of excessive force, retaliation, and other misconduct. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who defied police defunders and vaccine mandates, survived Tuesdays primary but will have to head to a runoff in November to defend his re-election. As the early results were flashed onto a screen in a corner of an airy venue where Luna was holding an election night party, supporters sent up excited whistles. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department is the largest Sheriffs Department in the nation and operates one of the largest jail systems, Saucedo Hoods said on her website. Thank you, L.A. County. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. "It was 'management by gotcha'."[15]. She previously covered the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, focusing on accountability stories and writing about failures by officials to comply with transparency laws. Legal Statement. I want to wish the incoming sheriff well, Villanueva said. Vera has also been critical of Villanuevas handling of the East Los Angeles Sheriffs Station, home to the deputies accused of operating as a gang. We've received your submission. If law enforcement is not involved, the needle is not going to move, he said. After he pulled off an upset victory most had thought was impossible, Villanueva took some steps to make good on his promises. The partys endorsement played a large role in his long-shot election victory. If you are not working in partnership with the community, you cannot reduce crime.. It comes as Villanueva launches his reelection campaign and fits in to a broader campaign strategy of trying to vilify and discredit critics and journalists with ad-hominem, unsubstantiated attacks. If Luna prevails, he would take the helm next month of a large, unwieldy agency that patrols large swaths of the sprawling county and has been buffeted by years of instability and turnover in the top post. He and Villanueva had worked closely together in the past, Vera said, even consulting on his boss 2018 campaign. Some in the community had criticized him for not backing wide-ranging reforms in the wake of George Floyds murder, saying instead that while he was open to changes, the city shouldnt move too fast. [13] Former Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell was elected Sheriff in 2014, with the expectation he would fix the problems. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. or redistributed. Following Election Day , Luna come out as the front-runner in the race. Unlike most running, Luna does not have any previous ties to the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department. When elected Sheriff four years ago, Sheriff Villanueva became the first candidate to unseat an incumbent LA Sheriff in over a century. Nov 16, 2022. A UCLA poll in March that asked respondents about Villanueva found that his favorability worsened in the last year as more people formed opinions about him. Alejandro Villanueva[1] is an American law enforcement officer who served as the 33rd sheriff of Los Angeles County, California. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. "Sheriff Villanueva blocked and stalled an investigation into an excessive Use of Force ("UOF") incident to obstruct justice and avoid bad publicity for his re-election campaign," the lawsuit claims. Saucedo Hood, on her website, listed her priorities as improving accountability, trust and transparency, and collaborating with the Board of Supervisors. Another blast is on the way. County attorneys received a cease-and-desist letter from Southern California Gas that owned the property and had not given written consent for the grading and installation of the landing pad. When she advocated for opportunities for Black deputies to promote, Villanueva told her: "We have enough of you," her lawsuit said. Sheriff Villanueva moved to the right. Los Angeles sheriff Alex Villanueva was soundly defeated in his bid for reelection, conceding from the race on Tuesday. Matt Rodriguez received 4%; Retired LASD commander Eli Vera received 4%; and coming in last was State Parole Agent April Saucedo Hood with 2% of the votes. And from 2016 to the end of 2021, use-of-force incidents had fallen by 27.5%, while citizen complaints had dropped 30.3%. ((Christina House / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)), The criminal community is operating 24/7: LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. That somehow cops represent an existential threat to young Black men, the sheriff said. Cecil Rhambo is another big name in the race, currently serving as the chief of the Los Angeles Airport Police Division. L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva is facing yet another whistleblower lawsuit accusing him and the department of corruption and retaliation. LA COUNTY SHERIFF VILLANUEVA SLAMS WOKEISM,' SAYS IT MUST GO TO MAKE CITY LIVEABLE AGAIN, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva speaks during a news conference at the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles to announce the results of a recent marijuana eradication operation in the Antelope Valley. He was never who we thought he was, is what I think now.. UPDATED, 3 PM: Embattled Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has conceded defeat in his re-election bid against former Long . [25] Though the LASD was one of the first law enforcement agencies in the nation to test body-worn camera technology, prior sheriffs had failed to implement such a system. Alex Villanueva LASD via Facebook. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images). 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Unsurprisingly, Villanuevas election opponents have seized on these and other controversies as they try to unseat the sheriff, who was first elected in 2018. He said the controversies were false narratives crafted as political attacks. After a tumultuous first term marked by his combativeness and controversies, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva's bid for reelection was at risk Wednesday morning as early results. L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva is behind in polls, and his disapproval numbers are high. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva accepted defeat in his pursuit for a second four-year term in the top law enforcement spot to Robert Luna on Tuesday. OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - After losing his re-election bid in 2020, former Osceola County sheriff Russ Gibson wants his old job back. We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. "I think that people are tired of the ridiculousness of Villanueva.". (Robyn Beck/Getty Images) The Los Angeles County voters who elected Alex Villanueva sheriff in 2018 might not be the ones who give him another four years in office. He does not support vaccination mandates for county employees, Rodriguez said. With more than 1.2 million ballots counted , Luna had won 56.78% of the votes to Villanueva's 43.22%. "Whether Villanueva is vulnerable depends in huge measure on who runs against him," said Jim Newton, a former Times journalist who is now a lecturer at UCLA's Luskin School of Public Affairs. Perhaps inevitably, Villanuevas political shift has led to regular appearances on conservative media. He has repeatedly challenged subpoenas calling on him to testify under oath about various problems and issues in the department and has been accused by critics of targeting political opponents with criminal investigations. We need to have our finger on the pulse of whats going on in the communities, she said. 2 in L.A. Sheriff's office surrenders to prison to serve 5-year sentence", "THE CHALLENGERS WHO WOULD BE LA COUNTY SHERIFF: An Interview With Alex Villanueva |", "A veteran lieutenant announces candidacy for L.A. County sheriff, the first to challenge Jim McDonnell", "Alex Villanueva declares win in LA County sheriff race despite no concession from Jim McDonnell", "Villanueva's beef with firefighters, the L.A. Times, Gascn, 'Latinx' and more", "Shortage of deputies could threaten L.A. County sheriff's reform agenda", "Marking a shift, the race for Los Angeles County sheriff may be up for grabs", "Sheriff Alex Villanueva OP/ED: The Truth About LASD", "Oversight Panel Calls For Resignation Of LA Sheriff Alex Villanueva", "Attorney General Becerra Launches Civil Rights Investigation of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department", "Claim alleges Sheriff Villanueva directed cover-up of deputy kneeling on inmate", "Los Angeles sheriff appears to back down after signaling he was investigating reporter", "LA County Board Funds Body-Worn Cameras for Sheriff's Deputies", "L.A. County sheriff's deputies test 4 types of body cameras", "Oversight Commission Asks Inspector General to Review Deputy Cliques", "Villanueva to fire or suspend 26 people involved in off-duty Banditos fight", "Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy describes attack by Banditos clique", "In an apparent historic upset, LA Sheriff unseated due to close ties w/ ICE", "LA Sheriff To Kick ICE Agents Out Of County Jails By Year's End", "Sheriff Announces Permanent Ban on ICE Transfers", "L.A. County sheriff says he's permanently banning transfers of inmates to ICE custody", "Villanueva Makes Temporary Ban on ICE Transfers Permanent", "Deputies Shared Graphic Images From Scene Of Helicopter Crash That Killed Kobe Bryant, Source Confirms", "Bill Text - AB-2655 Invasion of privacy: first responders", "Villanueva Supports Bill to Criminalize Sharing Active Crime Scene Photos", "Los Angeles sheriff says he will not enforce vaccine mandate", "Audit finds Sheriff's Department didn't get approval for helipad at Villanueva's home, contradicting his claims", "Alex Villanueva vows to 'turn pyramid upside down' as new LA County Sheriff", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alex_Villanueva&oldid=1134314822, This page was last edited on 18 January 2023, at 02:01. 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