Endorsement: Robert Luna for Los Angeles County sheriff
Sheriff Robert Luna very much deserves to be returned to his job as top cop for a second four-year term by Los Angeles County voters in the June 2 primary.
On his watch, deputy hiring is up and retention of sworn deputies, a tough situation for law enforcement throughout the nation, is showing a positive trend. Crime is also back on the decline after post-COVID increases.
Contrary to the “morale is tanking” narrative pushed by his predecessor and primary opponent, Alex Villanueva, the department's rank-and-file seem to prefer the current stability. ALADS, the department's largest union, recently stated they are “proud to make this endorsement” of Luna.
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The sheriff’s role in upcoming major events in this county of 10 million people, including planning for Olympic Games security, will be crucial, and the need for continuity is clear.
When he arrived at his post after his first election four years ago, Luna told the editorial board, “I had to rebuild relationships” throughout county leadership, relationships that had been battered by his predecessor, who is making a bid to return to his former job this election cycle. All five sitting county supervisors are endorsing Luna.
As Luna reminded us, Villanueva “had lost their trust.” And for good reason; Villanueva spent his four years in office more as an agent provocateur than a public safety official. He got in endless spats with the Board of Supervisors and was reprimanded over and over again by the inspector general overseeing his department.
And Villanueva is lying about the incumbent sheriff this campaign, erroneously telling the editorial board that Luna was a “Bunker Bob” hiding at a resort down in Carlsbad for four days during the Eaton and Palisades fires in January 2025. It’s simply a lie. Records show Luna was at the Hall of Justice in downtown L.A. when the fires broke out, and then went to the Pasadena, La Canada Flintridge and Zuma Beach command centers as the fires raged. Blatant falsehoods are not what Angelenos like to see from law enforcement leaders.
Also contrary to his Villanueva’s assertions, concealed carry permit licenses for responsible gun owners seeking them are up year over year, and he has expanded the office that oversees granting them.
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He also recognizes the need to replace Men’s Central Jail, which has long been in need of an overhaul. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has sued the sheriff’s department over "unsafe and unconstitutional conditions at county jails." Here, Luna needs to leverage his positive relationships with the Board of Supervisors to do what needs to be done and replace Men’s Central Jail, both for public safety but also the well-being of those in custody.
Luna, born in East L.A. and for seven years the police chief of Long Beach, has been a calming presence and effective sheriff for Los Angeles County and deserves your vote June 2.
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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 11:44 AM.