Sheriff Alex Villanueva is a 36-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the first challenger in over a century to unseat an incumbent Sheriff when he was elected as the 33rd Sheriff of Los Angeles County in 2018. He commanded the largest sheriff’s department in the nation, overseeing nearly 18,000 sworn and professional staff and managing complex public safety operations in one of the most diverse counties in America.

Throughout his career, Sheriff Villanueva has been recognized for leading with integrity, fostering internal reform, and building trust with the communities he served. As Sheriff, he prioritized transparency and accessibility, holding town halls across the county and launching public-facing tools to ensure accountability. Under his leadership, the Department saw significant progress in recruitment and retention—reversing historic staffing shortages and strengthening the foundation of public safety. He hired 1,100 deputies in his first year in office and converted a long-standing political patronage system into a merit-based system.

Sheriff Villanueva also achieved a remarkable fiscal turnaround. Inheriting a $101 million budget deficit, he converted it into a $74 million surplus while strengthening operations and services.

A firm believer in law and order, he restored peace and safety during the riots of 2020, deploying resources that reestablished order in Santa Monica, Long Beach, the Fairfax District, and Beverly Hills. In 2021 and 2022, he led hundreds of raids on illegal cannabis grows tied to cross-border cartels and violence, protecting communities across Los Angeles County.

He also expanded the Department’s capacity to serve vulnerable populations by growing its Mental Health Evaluation Teams and Homeless Outreach Services, ensuring a compassionate and effective response to complex social challenges. His efforts to address homelessness were unprecedented—cleaning up encampments on the Venice Boardwalk, San Vicente Boulevard in front of the VA hospital, Olvera Street Plaza in downtown LA, and hundreds of other locations throughout the county—all without a single arrest or use of force. His approach got people off the streets and into shelters, proving that enforcement and compassion can go hand in hand.

Sheriff Villanueva was also unafraid to confront corruption and misuse of power. He took the unprecedented step of creating the Public Corruption Unit, refusing to turn a blind eye to misconduct and corruption in local government. He challenged the Board of Supervisors’ unconstitutional vaccine mandates and exposed shady dealings between the County and a contractor with ties to the Chinese government.

Throughout his administration, he emphasized preparedness, strengthening emergency response capabilities, and ensuring the Department was equipped to act swiftly during natural disasters, civil unrest, and crises.

Sheriff Villanueva’s commitment to service extends beyond his time in uniform. A veteran of the United States Air Force, the California Air National Guard, and the California Army National Guard, he has spent his life dedicated to protecting others. As a field supervisor, academy instructor, and watch commander, he has mentored the next generation of law enforcement leaders with a focus on professionalism, community trust, and mission readiness.

An advocate for lifelong learning, Sheriff Villanueva holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from the University of the State of New York, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge, and a Doctorate in Public Administration from the University of La Verne.

Sheriff Villanueva is married to his wife of 28 years, Vivian, a retired deputy. They have a son, Jared, who proudly serves as a deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, carrying on the family’s legacy of service.

Now, with a deeper sense of purpose and a steadfast commitment to public service, Sheriff Villanueva is seeking to return to lead the department he dedicated his life to – ready to restore operational strength, rebuild public confidence, and set Los Angeles County on a safer, stronger path forward.