Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Villanueva leaves Democratic Party for GOP

"I’m leaving the party of paid protests, purple hair, and pronouns, and joining the party of faith, family, and freedom," Alex Villanueva said.

By Natalia Mittelstadt

Published: May 5, 2025 2:28pm

Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has left the Democratic Party for the GOP, after being a Democrat for 44 years.

“As of today, I’m leaving the party of paid protests, purple hair, and pronouns, and joining the party of faith, family, and freedom -- the Republican Party,” Villanueva said in a video posted to X on Saturday.

"#Breaking : Today I announced ending 44 years as a registered Dem and joining the @GOP," he wrote in the X post. "Time to make #California purple again !"

Villanueva was the county sheriff from 2018 to 2022, and while elected as a Democrat, he often clashed with his party during the COVID-19 pandemic. He refused to close beaches during July 4th weekend in 2020, despite public health directives. The following year, he stood against indoor mask mandates.

In 2022, Villanueva lost his reelection to former Long Beach police Chief Robert Luna.

"Chairwoman @corrinrankin and the entire @CAGOP welcome you to the Republican Party, @AlexVilanueva33!" the California Republican Party posted on X on Saturday. "Californians are realizing that the @CA_Dem left them and sanity behind. You’re not alone. Choosing law and order, freedom, and common sense is the right move!"