Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has declared his candidacy to challenge Robert Luna in the June 2 primary, despite a 19-percentage point loss in 2022.
“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 in a video released Tuesday night.
“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,” he continued. “On our streets, lawlessness has become the new normal, with street takeovers, looting, and organized burglary crews terrorizing our communities.”
Earlier this year, Luna announced he would seek re-election, citing reduced crime and increased transparency as key accomplishments.
“Under my leadership, LASD has also improved compliance related to the jails and Antelope Valley settlements and increased community engagement and outreach,” he said in a statement on his website. “My bottom line: As sheriff, our service must always be effective, respectful, empathetic, and constitutional.”
In April, Lt. Oscar Martinez of the sheriff’s Palmdale station announced plans to challenge Luna in 2026, saying he was running because the department needs a leader who will empower deputies to do their jobs.
“I’m putting my career and everything that I’ve worked for on the line, not for personal gain, but for my partners in law enforcement, as well as the future of public safety in our communities,” said Martinez, who has been with the department for more than 16 years.
Martinez was especially critical of Luna for not doing enough to defend deputy Trevor James Kirk, who was found guilty in February of excessive force for assaulting and pepper-spraying a woman during a 2023 confrontation outside a Lancaster supermarket.
Luna defeated Villanueva 61.3% to 38.7% on Nov. 8, 2022.
In 2018, Villanueva defeated Jim McDonnell, now chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, after one term. Villanueva went on to also become a one-term sheriff four years later after repeated clashes with the county Board of Supervisors over funding and policy matters as well as the agency’s Civilian Oversight Commission.
Villanueva lost a bid to oust Supervisor Janice Hahn from her Fourth District seat in 2024, receiving 28.1% of the vote in a three-candidate race toHahn’s 57.8%.