Alex Villanueva

Los Angeles County Sheriff in Los Angeles, California

Alex Villanueva is a candidate for Los Angeles County Sheriff in Los Angeles County, California — 2026 Primary Election.

Also running: André White, Sonia Montejano, Oscar Martinez, Karla Carranza, Robert Luna, Eric Strong, Brendan Corbett, Mike Bornman, Brian Warren.

Alex Villanueva is the former 33rd Sheriff of Los Angeles County, serving from 2018 to 2022. He is a 36-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD). Before being elected sheriff, he held the rank of lieutenant. Villanueva also served in the United States Air Force and the California Air and Army National Guards. He holds a Doctorate in Public Administration from the University of La Verne. In 2018, he became the first challenger to unseat an incumbent sheriff in Los Angeles County in over a century and the first Democratic sheriff in 138 years, though he later changed his party affiliation to Republican in 2025. He lost his re-election bid in 2022 to Robert Luna.

Website: https://www.alexvillanueva.com/meet-alex