After 44 years as a staunch Democrat and shaking the local political landscape, a former Los Angeles County Sheriff has officially switched to the Republican Party.
His blunt criticism of Democrats as the “party of paid protests, purple hair, and pronouns” signals a significant political shift in deep-blue California.
Patriots across the nation are taking notice as law enforcement leaders reject the radical left’s anti-police agenda.
Villanueva made his dramatic announcement at the Unite Inland Empire Conservative Conference, declaring his switch to the GOP with unmistakable clarity.
After nearly four and a half decades as a registered Democrat, the veteran law enforcement official publicly embraced what he called “the party of faith, family, and freedom.”
The former sheriff’s defection sends shockwaves through California politics, where Democrats have maintained iron-fisted control for years.
Villanueva served as LA County Sheriff from 2018 to 2022 after being elected as a supposed reformist Democrat.
Still, his experiences in office clearly showed him the true face of today’s radical left.
Villanueva did not mince words about why he left the party he supported for most of his life.
His frustrations stemmed from witnessing Democrats enable disruptive protests and embolden Antifa and anarchist elements that have terrorized American cities.
As sheriff, he found himself increasingly at odds with progressive policies that put criminals’ rights above public safety.
“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 stated.
Furthermore, GOP leaders across California enthusiastically welcomed Villanueva to their ranks.
California Republican Leader Corrin Rankin publicly supported his decision, noting that Villanueva made the same difficult choice she had made previously when the Democrat Party abandoned traditional American values of personal responsibility and public safety.
She stated:
“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!”
During his tenure as sheriff, Villanueva strongly supported Second Amendment rights by advocating for increased concealed carry permits.
This position put him at direct odds with California’s anti-gun Democrat establishment.
This stance earned him respect from constitutional conservatives who watched as he bucked the system to protect citizens’ rights.
Villanueva’s political transformation is not happening in isolation. His switch reflects a broader realignment in California politics, with other Democrats also crossing party lines as the left becomes increasingly radical.
Moreover, political tensions in Los Angeles County have reached a boiling point, with a recall effort now targeting Mayor Karen Bass following the devastating Pacific Palisades fire.
After losing his reelection bid in 2022, Villanueva did not retreat from public service.
He ran for the LA County Board of Supervisors against Janice Hahn in 2024, giving conservative voters a chance to push back against the disastrous policies that have led to America having skyrocketing crime, rampant homelessness, and economic decline.
While California Republicans remain outnumbered in voter registration, Villanueva’s defection has energized the party.
His law enforcement experience and willingness to speak truth to power make him a formidable advocate for restoring sanity to a state that has become synonymous with failed progressive policies and the lawlessness they inevitably produce.
