Former blue county sheriff ditches Democratic Party, registers Republican
Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has made a significant move by leaving the Democratic Party and becoming a registered Republican. In a speech at the Unite Inland Empire Conservative Conference, Villanueva expressed his reasons for the switch, stating, “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.”
Villanueva, who led the large blue county’s department from 2018 to 2022 before being defeated by Sheriff Robert Luna, announced his party switch on social media, declaring, “Today I announced ending 44 years as a registered Dem and joining the [GOP] Time to make [California] purple again!”
The move has been welcomed by Republican leaders in California, with California Republican Party Chairwoman Corrin Rankin stating, “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!”
Roxanne Hoge, chairwoman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles, also expressed support for Villanueva, acknowledging that many classic liberals have noticed the California Democratic Party has strayed from its original values.
Critics of Villanueva from the Democratic Party have also weighed in on his decision to switch parties. Some have expressed relief that he will no longer hold elected office, while others have made snarky comments about his move to the Republican Party.
Despite Republicans still lagging behind Democrats in party registration numbers in California, there is a sense of ambition and optimism among party leaders ahead of the 2026 midterms. Three seats in the Democrat supermajority legislature flipped from blue to red in November, signaling a potential shift in the political landscape of the state.
In Los Angeles County, political tensions remain high following the Pacific Palisades fire, with a recall effort against Mayor Karen Bass currently underway. The political climate in the county is tumultuous, but Villanueva’s decision to switch parties adds another layer of complexity to the political landscape.
Overall, Villanueva’s move from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party is a significant development in California politics and may have far-reaching implications for the upcoming elections. Only time will tell how this decision will impact Villanueva’s political future and the broader political dynamics of the state.
