"Im deeply honored and humbled that you have elected me as your next Sheriff. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Sheriff Alex Villanueva and former Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna vied for voters' support in their first one-on-one debate. Alene Tchekmedyian, James Queally, Libor Jany. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva votes with his wife, LASD Sgt. Villanueva, who has described himself as one of the last remaining Democrats of the JFK and FDR vein, was elected in 2018, but since 2020 has consistently clashed with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, most notably as he refused to enforce the countys vaccine mandate that he argued would lead to the firing of 4,000 of his deputies amid a crime wave ushered in by the defund police movement. When he announced his candidacy for sheriff in December, Black Lives Matter protested. Housing is another issue he wants to address, Rhambo said, first by helping those getting out of jails and prisons find a place to live, and by lobbying the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to relax rules that still exclude many people convicted of crimes from Section 8 housing assistance. ((Christina House / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)), ((Photo by Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images)), ((Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)), firing of 4,000 of his deputies amid a crime wave, usurped the sheriffs power to enforce the COVID-19 mandate, 'You have failed': Texas lawmakers call on Biden's DHS secretary to abandon 'misguided liberal policies', George Santos denies scamming disabled veteran by raising money for their dog's cancer treatment, As historic numbers of migrants cross the border, their dogs are often left behind, Elites in Davos strategize on how to fight right-wing' groups: Hit back. After years of stability at the top of the department L.A. County had two sheriffs from 1982 to 2014 voters saw former Sheriff Lee Baca forgo a run at a fifth term as his department faced allegations of mistreating inmates and corruption charges. For the soccer player, see, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (1986), Sheriff of Los Angeles County (20182022), Removing immigration agents from Los Angeles County jails, Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Salary information for Alejandro Villanueva", "Alex Villanueva declares victory in LA County sheriff race", "Alex Villanueva inches closer to an upset in race for L.A. County sheriff", "Robert Luna to become L.A. County sheriff as Alex Villanueva concedes", "Alex Villanueva, the county's new top cop, has been quietly fighting for a political win for decades", "Why L.A. County has a politician with a gun and a badge: From Sheriff Villanueva back to 1850", "County Correction Facilities & Jails in Los Angeles County, California", "Alex Villanueva Is The New Sheriff Of LA County. Additional endorsements this month include: The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 13 workers Union Local and the El Monte Police Officers Association. Villanueva moved on to the Pico Rivera Sheriff Station, where he served as Watch Commander. Hes reveled in publicly rebuking local elected Democrats, including the mayor of Los Angeles, for what he sees as their inept handling of the citys homelessness crisis, and he eagerly joined the campaign to kick the countys ultra-progressive district attorney out of office. "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. Lunas priorities, if elected, would be reducing violent and property crime through community engagement and social services, he said. The rift deepened last summer when sheriffs deputies shot and killed a Black man, Dijon Kizzee, in South L.A. He would accomplish these goals, Luna said, by forging stronger relationships with other community players. She listened to a five-part LAist podcast on the incumbent and "she was not pleased.". County Sheriff With nearly 57 percent of the vote, retired Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna is on track to replace incumbent Alex Villanueva, who was trailing at 43 percent. Unlike most running, Luna does not have any previous ties to the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department. Save Article. [27] One of the most prominent such groups is the "Banditos" at East Los Angeles Sheriff Station. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva talks with media, homeless advocates and local residents in Venice on June 7. Thats my way, she said, of bridging the gap between the community and law enforcement.. Villanueva ran for re-election for Los Angeles County Sheriff in California. But when returning for an extended leave while recovering from back surgery, Vera said, he learned that none of what he had recommended had been done. Villanueva did not respond to an interview request for this story. In February, relatives of crime victims gathered downtown to launch a campaign to recall Gascn from office. One day after the LA County Board of Supervisors made public a proposal that could give them the power to remove an elected sheriff from office for cause, Sheriff Alex Villanueva's re-election . Villanueva, meanwhile, was left hoping for a comeback. The department also did not seek a required permit from the state for construction of an emergency use helipad.[42]. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) He's behind in the polls, and his disapproval numbers are high.. In 11 shootings, including Kizzees, the bicyclists all male and Black or Latino were killed. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva meets with supporters after speaking at an election night gathering in Boyle Heights in June. [23] In response, Villanueva held a press conference and presented a graphic with arrows linking an LA Times reporter, a political rival, and the sheriff department's inspector general, stating that all were subject to a probe, later clarifying on Twitter that the reporter was not being criminally charged. Vivian Villanueva, left, in Californias primary election at The Park in La Habra Heights Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Thank goodness! Alex Villanueva: LA County Sheriff Candidate 04:40 Vandalism, looting and flames were all tearing through Long Beach six days after the death of George Floyd. Weaknecht started his career in the Berks County Sheriff's Office in May of 1984 as a deputy . "What we have now are the first numbers and they look good," said the retired Long Beach police chief, who was flanked onstage by members of his family. Thanks for contacting us. We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. ", Sonenshein added of Villanueva: "If he wins, I think it would kind of challenge the conventional wisdom that he's made so many enemies in L.A. that he couldn't possibly be reelected.". Early Tuesday morning, voters trickled in and out of a polling center at Marina del Rey Middle School after the rain subsided. Jan. 15Snyder County Sheriff John Zechman will run for a third term. 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. Working with the community is a big part for me, Luna said. Reginald Hoffman and Lt. John Lindsay, sued the agency for racial discrimination. The sheriffs race is particularly difficult to handicap, given the recent scrutiny the department has faced. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Sheriff Alex Villanueva made the remarks at a press conference Tuesday when asked about Los Angeles Times reporter Alene Tchekmedyian, who reported on the incident last year and also on the. That somehow cops represent an existential threat to young Black men, the sheriff said. He has accused Villanueva of eroding public trust in the agency, saying he used fear to consolidate power and tried to rehire ex-deputies that committed domestic violence or excessive force and who make us good cops look bad.. LA COUNTY SHERIFF VILLANUEVA SLAMS WOKEISM, SAYS IT MUST GO TO MAKE CITY LIVABLE AGAIN, "Thank you, L.A. County," he said. Still, his tenure as chief wasnt without its issues. A veteran of the department who spent much of his career as a rank-and-file deputy, Villanueva aggressively courted liberal voters by playing up a claim that he would be the first Democratic sheriff in the county in 138 years. This article is about the sheriff. Elections Villanueva Is Booted After Los Angeles Voters Sour on 'Sheriff Trump' ONE TOO MANY SCANDALS The incumbent sheriff conceded the race on Tuesday afternoon to Robert Luna, a retired. Were offering L.A. Times subscribers first access to our best journalism. All rights reserved. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. What I plan on being is a sheriff that is not hyper political, he said, that stays away from any politics that does not directly impact the office of the sheriff and one builds collaboration in the county.. But he didn't do that. ALADS Board of . More than 210 Republicans who questioned the 2020 election have won seats in the U.S. House and Senate and in state races for governor, secretary of state and attorney general, according to . Villanueva was sworn into office as sheriff on December 3, 2018. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Sheriffs Department said in a statement that the party had been hijacked by a radical far left agenda.. Four years later, incumbent Sheriff Jim McDonnell lost his reelection bid during a runoff to Villanueva. Legal Statement. There is, for example, an ongoing investigation by the state attorney generals office into potential civil rights abuses by sheriffs deputies and another by the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission into gang-like groups of deputies that operate in the department. After he pulled off an upset victory most had thought was impossible, Villanueva took some steps to make good on his promises. I'm going to do things based on what's right for public safety outside of partisan labels.". Villanueva suspended the department's participation in this program immediately after taking office, describing the cash payments as "blood money". She said she appreciated his efforts to clean up crime and homelessness, a problem she sees every day driving through Marina del Rey. (Baca was ultimately convicted in 2017 of obstructing an FBI investigation.) Luna, who headed the Long Beach Police Department for seven years before retiring last year, positioned himself during the campaign as the level-headed alternative to Villanueva and vowed he would work with the county elected officials Villanueva has vilified. He promised to ban federal immigration agents from working inside L.A. County jails and said he supported efforts to expand social services to immigrants in the country illegally potent selling points to Democratic voters who had become frustrated with former President Trumps hard-line immigration policies. The first Spanish speaker to hold the . Villanueva has denied wrongdoing in each case. When I went out to patrol in 1989, thats how I was trained to patrol. 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. 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. 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?. A Times' analysis found that at least 50 people who received permits to carry weapons in public contributed either to Alex Villanueva's first campaign for L.A. County sheriff or his current bid for reelection, and more than half gave the money before being granted a permit. Under Luna, LBPD also revised its use-of-force policy in 2020 to mandate reverence for life, medical assistance and a duty to intervene. Legal Statement. deputies shot and killed a Black man, Dijon Kizzee, in South L.A. Deputies killed Dijon Kizzee after a bike stop. [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. So were responding accordingly.. Previous sheriffs issued few of the permits, which are meant primarily for people who face clear dangers to their safety. The Board of Supervisors oversees the sheriffs departments current $3.5 billion budget. Villanueva lost his bid for reelection in 2022 against former Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna. Sheriff, youre the only thing keeping that city, that state, from spiraling into utter chaos, one of the Fox hosts, Brian Kilmeade, told him. It comes down to treating people with respect, dignity and compassion.. She said her solution for the issues at the East Los Angeles Sheriffs Station was to simply tear it down. Villanueva retired from the Sheriff's Department in 2018. LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva shares his insight on hundreds of CA criminal cases being dismissed on Fox News @ Night.. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace. LOS ANGELES Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva launched his reelection campaign Saturday in Santa Fe Springs, as the embattled sheriff seeks a second term to lead a department under investigation by the state attorney general and its own oversight agency. [9], In 1988, Villanueva initiated the drive to ban smoking in the Los Angeles County jail system as part of a national effort to ban second-hand smoke. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. He was stationed at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, California and March Air Force Base in Riverside, California. Hes going to be our guy, Mark Gonzalez, chair of the L.A. County Democratic Party, said at a campaign event a few weeks before the 2018 election. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Another way he would address housing problems and homelessness, if elected, would be through the departments Civil Management Bureau, which helps with evictions. "That is democracy in decline. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva gestures during a news conference, Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Los Angeles. We've received your submission. Cannick said Villanueva vowed to her during his campaign to run a transparent department if he won and that her support for a ballot measure to give subpoena power to the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission was unnecessary. November 15, 2022 3:00pm. The sheriff. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. And, Rhambo said, he helped start the Sheriffs Community Oriented Policing Bureau, which focuses on suppressing violent crime, combating homelessness, offering quality-of-life programs and creating mental-health response teams. The strategy helped Villanueva to build a powerful, if tenuous, coalition of support. Nov 16, 2022. Villanueva then earned a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Northridge and a Doctorate of Public Administration from University of La Verne. Vera, who rose through the ranks of the Sheriffs Department, working in multiple division and bureaus, was promoted to the rank of chief in December 2018. But as homicides and other crimes in the county have continued to climb along with some communities frustration over homeless encampments, Villanueva appears to be banking on the idea that voters, regardless of party allegiance, will be looking for a tough, no-nonsense sheriff. [32], During his 2018 campaign, Villanueva promised to end the "pipeline to deportation" built upon the sheriff's department's cooperation and financial ties with federal immigration authorities. The "Last Week Tonight" host didn't hold back on the man running for re-election as L.A. county sheriff while facing corruption allegations and targeting a journalist. Karla Carranza received 5%; Retired LASD Capt. I believe that a lot of the misconduct that occurs is untreated PTSD, Luna said. SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif., April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The campaign to re-elect Sheriff Alex Villanueva will hold its second campaign rally on Saturday, April 30, 2022, in Santa. Tearing it down would mean re-assigning deputies and staff now working there. And several sheriff's employees, including some at top ranks, have filed lawsuits against him and the department. As a Black and Asian man, Rhambo said, he understands what its like to walk along the street as a person of color. Sheriff Villanueva deploys deputies to Venice encampments, but is he overstepping his authority? But he refused to concede the idea that had got him elected: Hours before the vote, his reelection campaign sent out an email touting him as a progressive Democrat who had swept out of office a predecessor who was deporting immigrants and racially profiling drivers., And in a live social media broadcast the next day, Villanueva dismissed the county Democrats as very wealthy west side of town folks who dont represent the party or county residents. They both cited an allegation made in another lawsuit by a former top-ranking official, retired Chief LaJuana Haselrig, who is also Black. The. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. It found that 35% had a favorable impression of him, while 31% had an unfavorable impression. Besides that accusation and the one Vera levied at him, Villanueva has also been accused of investigating political enemies, publicly blasted journalists who have written unflattering stories about the Sheriffs Department, and openly feuded with the county Board of Supervisors which called on him to resign in September 2020 and also sought, ultimately unsuccessfully, a way to oust the elected public safety leader. Sheriff Villanueva has just under $1M on hand and raised over $900k in 2021. And to that end, he signed a petition to recall Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascn, and said he supports turning over undocumented immigrants convicted of violent felonies to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation. Villanueva has defended his record as a reformer he banned the transfer of county inmates to federal immigration custody without a criminal warrant and also has promoted his ban of deputy gangs in the department, though a civilian oversight commission says it's still a problem. If elected, Vera said, he would stay away from the types of political clashes that have marred the current administration. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, inept handling of the citys homelessness crisis. Market data provided by Factset. Sheriff Lee Baca, Undersheriff Paul Tanaka, and numerous other department employees were caught in the scandal and were later convicted of various federal charges. ", LA COUNTY SHERIFF VILLANUEVA REFUSES TO ENFORCE VACCINE MANDATE AT HIS AGENCY: SEVERELY UNDERSTAFFED. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Also last week, the Board of Supervisors agreed to pay $47.6 million to settle several lawsuits alleging misconduct by sheriffs deputies. So, get back to reporting everything, both sides, passionately, and then well be better off because of it.. With more than 1.2 million ballots counted , Luna had won 56.78% of the votes to Villanueva's 43.22%. 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. Legal Statement. SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif., April 20, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The campaign to re-elect Sheriff Alex Villanueva today released an official campaign video "Bring Back the California Dream" which can . The close of polls on a rainy Tuesday night brought an end to a campaign widely viewed as a referendum on Villanueva, a highly controversial figure who battled endlessly with elected officials and others with the authority to oversee him and the department. Were hiring our own sons and daughters to serve our community, he said. But in recent years, he has appeared to move in a more conservative direction, publicly decrying what he has. He assumed office in 2018. As with other candidates, Strong said he would work to rebuild relationships with the Board of Supervisors. From 2006 to 2010, Villanueva was an adjunct professor of criminal justice at California State University, Long Beach.[12]. "Quite the opposite," he said. Without a credible opponent, none of this really matters.. [8], Villanueva served in the United States military for 10 years. 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. Alejandro Villanueva[1] is an American law enforcement officer who served as the 33rd sheriff of Los Angeles County, California. Its embarrassing.. For a sheriff who swept into office by convincing liberal, progressive voters he was their candidate, Alex Villanueva is making strange moves these days. My best thinking is that he was not a progressive sheriff but he played one on television, said Cynthia Hart, a member of two Democratic clubs that endorsed Villanueva in 2018. "This has had sort of a character of almost a recall election, where you don't really know the replacement candidates all that well but you decide whether to keep the incumbent in office," said Raphe Sonenshein, head of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State L.A. "If he loses, then I think that's a pretty stunning rebuke of his period as sheriff. Despite fighting the Inspector Generals subpoena for months, Villanueva was also ordered to testify in April about alleged gang-like groups of deputies. His policy ideas include a plan to address post-traumatic stress disorder among deputies and other employees, something he said contributes to misconduct, including deputy gangs. But he has very much proven to be someone who will immediately retaliate against someone who dares to have a different opinion.. Homelessness was at the top of Sabine Pleissner's mind as well. Alex Villanueva is the Los Angeles County Sheriff in California. Its unacceptable.. [2] Before becoming Sheriff, he was a lieutenant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva details his accomplishments during a press conference at the Hall of Justice where he conceded the election to Robert Luna on Nov. 15, 2022. The ban was successfully implemented in 1990.[10][11]. A weak election showing now makes him vulnerable June 8, 2022 The new poll numbers generally reflect what was widely seen as Villanueva's poor showing. [3], The first member of the Democratic Party to be elected Sheriff in 138 years, Villanueva campaigned as a reformer and appealed to some progressive values, but has received notoriety for more conservative policies during his tenure. Villanueva, who had a reputation for defying police defunders and vaccine mandates, conceded to his opponent during a press conference where he faulted the county for its negotiation The rest had no opinion or hadnt heard of him. Villanueva won the general election on November 4, 2018, with 53% to 47% for McDonnell. Thats just not going to happen.. Members of a mariachi band tuned their instruments. The sheriff previously faced criticism for attempting to muzzle the press by insinuating that a local reporter was under criminal investigation related to her coverage of a leaked tape showing a deputy kneeling on a handcuffed inmate. During his first election campaign, in 2018, Villanueva ran as a liberal reformer. We have to sit down with our elected officials, he said. If you look at it, its dilapidated, she said. 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. Following Election Day , Luna come out as the front-runner in the race. CALIFORNIA ELECTION RESULTS: LA SHERIFF VILLANUEVA, WHO DEFIED DEFUNDERS, HEADS TO NOVEMBER RUNOFF "You can negotiate on practices, but you can't negotiate on principles," Villanueva said. Alex Villanueva LASD via Facebook. But Villanueva certainly has the war chest of a front-running incumbent. In recent public comments, Villanueva cited a USC survey that found 10% of Angelenos plan to leave L.A. County in the next year. A new round of election results released Thursday show Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva continuing to trail badly against his opponent, Robert Luna, leaving his bid for reelection in . I want to wish the incoming sheriff well, Villanueva said. 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. I think what the sheriff has done is a little bit of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, said Jasmyne Cannick, a political consultant who supported Villanuevas campaign. SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The campaign to re-elect Sheriff Alex Villanueva announces the launch of its new campaign video airing across local Los Angeles TV stations and online. Despite many of his opponents saying law enforcement should not be the first or primary point of contact for those who are homeless, Villanueva said the Sheriffs Department must play a larger role. But either way, the accusation contrasted sharply with what had been, according to Vera, a previously close relationship with Villanueva. Villanueva has been consistently trailing former Long Beach police Chief Robert Luna as results from last week's election continued to be tallied. 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 . Heres a timeline, The Times podcast: How the California GOP lost its national sway, Veterans claim anti-vet bias in Metros choice of muralist for a new VA station, California faces catastrophic flood dangers and a need to invest billions in protection, Caregiver sentenced to life in prison for unspeakable sexual abuse of disabled children, Billie Eilish seeks restraining order against alleged home intruder who professed his love for her. 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. The field of opponents include some big names in county law enforcement, including Cecil Rhambo, chief of police for Los Angeles International Airport; Robert Luna, who served as Long Beachs first Latino police chief from 2014 until his retirement in December; and Eliezer Eli Vera, who has accused Villanueva of demoting him after he decided to run against his boss, an allegation the sheriff has denied. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. With little reliable, publicly available polling, it is impossible to know with any certainty how most voters in L.A. County feel about Villanuevas job performance since he took office at the end of 2018 and which issues are likely to sway them when the sheriff is on the ballot again in 2022.
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