Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva formally announced Wednesday he is running for a seat on the LA County Board of Supervisors.
Villanueva, who served as sheriff from 2018 to 2022, confirmed to NBC4 he intends to run for the county's Fourth Supervisorial District in hopes to unset Supervisor Janice Hanh. He made his formal announcement during a press conference in Whittier.
"I mean, people are just desperate for change, and they are not going to get it from career politicians so we figure let's get the job done," Villanueva said.
The former sheriff, who has been in law enforcement for 36 years, said his background would bring what he describes as a needed change to the Board of Supervisors. One supporter at the press conference said he would serve well as a county leader again.
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"We have the opportunity to get the highest, the top cop with a doctorate in public administration on the Board of Supervisors, I think we can't pass it up," said Troy Silda, who owns the Orchard Bar and Grill restaurant where the bid announcement was made.
Supervisor Janice Hanh's campaign released the following statement regarding Villanueva's run:
“LA County voters — including District 4 — resoundingly rejected the man known as the ‘Donald Trump of LA County’ last November for his incompetence and corruption. LA County became less safe under Villanueva’s reign. He is a fraud and a failure, and LA County voters won’t be fooled again.”
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The county voted for Villanueva as sheriff in 2018 after he ran against incumbent Jim McDonnell. He lost his run for re-election last November to then-Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna.
During his term as sheriff, Villanueva often clashed with the Board of Supervisors- he was also accused of mishandling certain issues within his department including the investigations into deputy gangs and refusing to enforce COVID 19 vaccine mandates.
