Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has left the Democratic Party after 44 years, declaring the GOP now represents his values of “faith, family, and freedom” as he prepares for a new political campaign.
Quick Takes
- Villanueva officially switched to the Republican Party after 44 years as a Democrat, criticizing his former party as the “party of paid protests, purple hair, and pronouns”
- The former sheriff served from 2018-2022 and is now running for LA County Board of Supervisors in 2024
- His defection reflects growing tensions within California politics over public safety, Second Amendment rights, and progressive policies
- Republican leaders in California welcomed Villanueva, viewing his switch as a positive sign for future elections
- His move may signal broader political realignment in traditionally Democratic strongholds like Los Angeles County
A Sheriff’s Political Transformation
Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has officially switched his political affiliation to the Republican Party after more than four decades as a registered Democrat. Villanueva, who served as LA County Sheriff from 2018 to 2022, made the announcement at the Unite Inland Empire Conservative Conference. His decision comes after increasing friction with progressive policies during his tenure as sheriff, which ultimately contributed to his failed reelection bid in 2022. The move signals a significant shift in the political landscape of Los Angeles County, traditionally a Democratic stronghold in California.
Villanueva did not mince words when explaining his decision to leave the Democratic Party. “As of today, I’m leaving the party of paid protests, purple hair, and pronouns. And I’m joining the party of faith, family, and freedom — the Republican Party,” said Alex Villanueva, former Los Angeles County Sheriff. His declaration marks a complete ideological break from the party that supported his initial election as sheriff in 2018, when he campaigned as a progressive reformer.
Clashes with Progressive Policies
Villanueva’s tenure as sheriff was marked by numerous controversies and conflicts with county leadership and progressive policies. Despite being elected as a reformist Democrat, he quickly clashed with the LA County Board of Supervisors over oversight issues and policy implementation. His approach to law enforcement often put him at odds with progressive criminal justice reform advocates, particularly regarding his resistance to oversight mechanisms and his positions on immigration enforcement within county jails.
“I left the [California Democratic] Party when I saw it no longer stood for the values I was raised with: personal responsibility, public safety, and freedom. [Alex Villanueva] made the same call. It takes courage, but it’s the right move. Welcome to our movement to restore common sense!” said Corrin Rankin, California Republican Party official.
A central issue in Villanueva’s growing disillusionment with Democrats concerned public safety and protest response. He criticized the party for enabling disruptive protests and claimed they emboldened “Antifa and anarchist” elements. His advocacy for expanded concealed carry permits in Los Angeles County further distanced him from mainstream Democratic positions on gun control. These stances ultimately alienated him from the local Democratic establishment but may now serve as political assets in his Republican affiliation.
Political Impact and Future Ambitions
Villanueva isn’t leaving politics behind – he’s currently running for the LA County Board of Supervisors against incumbent Janice Hahn in the 2024 election. His party switch could potentially reshape voter perceptions in his campaign, appealing to conservatives concerned about rising crime rates while potentially alienating progressive voters who supported his initial election as sheriff. The timing of his announcement suggests a strategic calculation that Republican affiliation will benefit his political future in LA County.
“Today I announced ending 44 years as a registered Dem and joining the [GOP] Time to make [California] purple again!” Villanueva posted on social media following his announcement.
Villanueva’s defection reflects a broader pattern of political realignment in California, where concerns about public safety, homelessness, and quality of life issues have begun challenging traditional party loyalties. Political tensions in Los Angeles County remain high, with ongoing issues such as the recall effort against Mayor Karen Bass following the Pacific Palisades fire. Republican leaders in California expressed optimism about future elections despite being significantly outnumbered by Democrats in party registration, viewing defections like Villanueva’s as potential indicators of changing voter sentiment.
Constitutional Questions and Party Values
The former sheriff’s switch raises interesting questions about the relationship between constitutional values and party affiliation. Villanueva’s emphasis on Second Amendment rights and public safety align with traditional Republican platforms, while his criticism of what he describes as Democratic permissiveness toward protests challenges interpretations of First Amendment freedoms. His experience navigating these tensions as sheriff provides him with unique insight into practical applications of constitutional principles.
“I’m done with the party of hate and protests,” stated Villanueva. His critique of Democrats centers on what he perceives as a departure from traditional American values and an embrace of identity politics that he believes undermine public safety and social cohesion.
The political transformation of Alex Villanueva represents more than just one official changing parties – it symbolizes evolving conversations about governance, public safety, and constitutional values in American communities. Whether this signals a broader shift in voter affiliations or remains an isolated defection will become clearer as Los Angeles County approaches its next election cycle. What’s certain is that Villanueva’s dramatic party switch has inserted new energy into local political discourse about safety, freedom, and governance priorities.
