Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has announced that he has switched from being a registered Democrat for more than 40 years to joining the Republican Party.
“Today, I’ve left the party associated with paid protests, purple hair, and pronouns, and have joined a party that stands for faith, family, and freedom,” Villanueva stated in a video.
Previously, it was reported that Villanueva, who was elected Sheriff in 2018 while still a Democrat, lost his bid for reelection in November 2022 to Robert Luna, the former police chief of Long Beach.
Initially elected as a Democrat on a platform of reform, over time Villanueva shifted towards a more conservative stance, particularly by confronting the Black Lives Matter movement and taking a hardline approach against rising crime rates.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Villanueva notably refused to enforce the order to close beaches over the Fourth of July weekend. In July 2021, he also expressed that he would not use his department’s “limited resources” for enforcing mask mandates, labeling them as “not supported by science.”
“The individuals who agreed to forced vaccinations and indoor mask-wearing for Covid-19 are not aligned with scientific guidance, and this goes against the recommendations from the CDC,” Villanueva stated.
In response to Villanueva’s announcement about leaving the Democratic Party, many took to social media to congratulate him, suggesting that California Democrats had “lost their sanity” with voters. Some commented on the perceived disconnect between the Democrats and the American people.
“Chairman @corrinrankin and everyone at @cagop welcomes you to the Republican Party, @alexvilanueva33!” a California Republican Party account posted. “Californians are recognizing that California Democrats have abandoned them. You’re not alone; choosing law and order, freedom, and common sense is the right choice!”
“Welcome to the right!” wrote California Senator Marie Alvarado Gill (R) in a post. “Who’s next? They lose touch with everyday Americans, which is why I left the Democrats. Many promises fall short for Hispanic Californians, and pandering isn’t enough.”
“Welcome to the Common Sense Party,” another user commented. “A party that represents our Latino community and the working American.”
Corey Wooden, the head of regional development for Republicans in Southern California, said, “The former sheriff of the largest county in the U.S. is leaving the Democrats to register with the GOP. Welcome, sheriff. We’re eager to benefit from your common sense.”
