Former LA County sheriff ditches Dems to join GOP

“As of today, I’m leaving the party of paid protests, purple hair, and pronouns, and joining the party of faith, family, and freedom,” Villanueva said in a video posted to X.

Villanueva served as the LA County sheriff from 2018 to 2022. He was elected as a Democrat but frequently clashed with party leaders and local officials during his tenure, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, he refused to close beaches during the Fourth of July weekend despite public health directives. A year later, he pushed back against indoor mask mandates.

“Forcing the vaccinated and those who already contracted COVID-19 to wear masks indoors is not backed by science and contradicts the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines,” he wrote in July 2021, explaining his decision not to enforce the rule, citing limited department resources.

Villanueva lost his 2022 re-election bid to Robert Luna, the former Long Beach police chief. Since leaving office, he has remained vocal on issues related to public safety and local politics.

His party switch drew praise from conservatives on social media. Many users said the Democratic Party had strayed from its roots and was no longer in touch with ordinary Californians. Others welcomed Villanueva for embracing what they called common-sense values.

“Chairwoman @corrinrankin and the entire @CAGOP welcome you to the Republican Party, @AlexVilanueva33!” the California Republican Party posted on X. “Californians are realizing that the @CA_Dem left them and sanity behind. You’re not alone. Choosing law and order, freedom, and common sense is the right move!”