Sheriff Alex Villanueva is a 36-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the first challenger in over a
century to unseat an incumbent Sheriff when he was elected as the 33rd Sheriff of Los Angeles County in 2018. He commanded
the largest sheriff’s department in the nation, overseeing nearly 18,000 sworn and professional staff and managing complex
public safety operations in one of the most diverse counties in America.

Throughout his career, Sheriff Villanueva has been recognized for leading with integrity, fostering internal reform, and building
trust with the communities he served. As Sheriff, he prioritized transparency and accessibility, holding town halls across the
county and launching public-facing tools to ensure accountability. Under his leadership, the Department saw significant progress
in recruitment and retention—reversing historic staffing shortages and strengthening the foundation of public safety. He hired
1,100 deputies in his first year in office and converted a long-standing political patronage system into a merit-based system.

Sheriff Villanueva also achieved a remarkable fiscal turnaround. Inheriting a $101 million budget deficit, he converted it into a
$74 million surplus while strengthening operations and services.

A firm believer in law and order, he restored peace and safety during the riots of 2020, deploying resources that reestablished
order in Santa Monica, Long Beach, the Fairfax District, and Beverly Hills. In 2021 and 2022, he led hundreds of raids on illegal
cannabis grows tied to cross-border cartels and violence, protecting communities across Los Angeles County.

An advocate for lifelong learning, Sheriff Villanueva holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from the University of the State
of New York, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge, and a Doctorate in Public
Administration from the University of La Verne.

Sheriff Villanueva is married to his wife of 28 years, Vivian, a retired deputy. They have a son, Jared, who proudly serves as a
deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, carrying on the family’s legacy of service.

Now, with a deeper sense of purpose and a steadfast commitment to public service, Sheriff Villanueva is seeking to return to lead
the department he dedicated his life to – ready to restore operational strength, rebuild public confidence, and set Los Angeles
County on a safer, stronger path forward.