Luna and Villanueva Clash Again for Los Angeles Sheriff's Office

Los Angeles County voters will decide on Tuesday who will lead the nation’s largest sheriff’s department in a runoff election between incumbent Robert Luna and former Sheriff Alex Villanueva. The contest is a direct rematch of the 2022 general election, where Luna defeated Villanueva to take the job. This year, however, Villanueva forced his way into the final round during the June primary, seeking to reclaim the position he held for nearly four years.

The candidates present starkly different views of the department’s current state. Luna argues that his tenure has restored stability and repaired broken relationships with county supervisors and other agencies. He describes the department he inherited as hobbled and atrophied. Villanueva counters that the department is in free fall, citing low morale, unfilled deputy positions, and a lack of accountability for criminals. He told a crowd at a campaign event in Burbank that the department will not survive four more years at the current rate.

Campaign finance records show a large disparity in resources. Luna has raised approximately $729,000 in contributions since January 1. Villanueva has raised about $242,000 over the same period. In the June primary, Luna received 44.2 percent of the vote, while Villanueva received 21.7 percent. No televised debates have been scheduled for this cycle.

Villanueva has focused his recent messaging on specific policy failures. At a September event hosted by the Burbank Realtors Association, he criticized Luna’s handling of homelessness and disaster management. He also pointed to a significant increase in overtime spending and sworn vacancies since 2022. Villanueva said he would streamline tenant evictions and strengthen the staff dedicated to that process. He described the current eviction team as a skeleton crew.

Supporters of Villanueva at the event emphasized the importance of strong leadership from the top. Tony Rodriguez, a Republican state Senate candidate and U.S. Army veteran, said he preferred Villanueva’s approach to command. He argued that leaders must be willing to go into the field with their troops rather than staying in the rear. Minerva Corral, a local real estate investor, noted that while she liked some of Villanueva’s policies, she remembered his previous tenure as combative. Jose Corral, her husband, summed up his view of the race by quoting The Who: Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

Luna has positioned himself as a steady hand who values working with county officials. He stated that the Board of Supervisors controls his budget, so maintaining good relationships is imperative. He called Villanueva 100 percent ineffective in that arena. Luna also distinguished his approach to public corruption investigations. He disbanded the public corruption unit created by Villanueva and said he is more apt to refer such cases to the California Department of Justice or the FBI. He believes handling these cases in-house creates an appearance of bias.

The candidates have faced distinct challenges during their respective tenures. Villanueva led the county through the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Luna has overseen the department during the Eaton and Palisades fires, which damaged areas including Altadena and Malibu. Luna currently faces a legal battle with the Civilian Oversight Commission over access to records from three use-of-force incidents. The commission subpoenaed unredacted documents in February 2025, but the department has not yet released them. Luna said a meet and confer process is underway with Sheriff’s Department unions.

Luna’s campaign has emphasized his roots in East Los Angeles. On October 23, he visited King Taco in East Los Angeles, where he was recognized by locals who credited him with making the streets safer. Supporters like Mike Aguilar and Rafael Nolasco view Luna as a role model for his humble beginnings and his work in office. The winner of Tuesday’s election will take office to manage tensions with the federal government over immigration enforcement and to help secure the county during the 2028 Olympic Games.