Los Angeles sheriff Alex Villanueva loses reelection bid to Robert Luna

Robert Luna (L) gained greater than 60 % of the votes when the Related Press referred to as the race.
AP

Los Angeles sheriff Alex Villanueva was soundly defeated in his bid for reelection, conceding from the race on Tuesday.

Villanueva misplaced to Robert Luna, who drew in additional than 60% of votes when the Related Press referred to as the race.

Luna, the previous police chief of Lengthy Seaside, California, vowed to carry accountability to the division the place he’ll lead practically 10,000 deputies.

“Thanks, L.A. County. I’m deeply honored and humbled that you've got elected me as your subsequent Sheriff,” Luna stated in an announcement posted to Twitter. “Together with your vote, you may have entrusted me with a transparent mandate to carry new management and accountability to the Sheriff’s Division. And that’s precisely what I'll do.”

Villanueva, who served one four-year time period, blamed his defeat on Los Angeles’ “weaponized political machine” and knocked the media in a rambling and emotional concession speech.

Alex Villanueva served one four-year time period as sheriff, starting in 2018.

AP

“You may’t survive if all you are able to do is pair it with the political narrative of the institution,” he stated in a direct attraction to journalists, Fox Information reported. “That's democracy in decline. So, get again to reporting the whole lot, each side, passionately, after which we’ll be higher off due to it.”

The sheriff beforehand confronted criticism for trying to muzzle the press by insinuating that a native reporter was below prison investigation associated to her protection of a leaked tape exhibiting a deputy kneeling on a handcuffed inmate.

Robert Luna will lead about 10,000 deputies in his division.

AP

Villanueva was on the middle of a number of scandals throughout his time period. He typically clashed with members of the LA County Board of Supervisors and downplayed allegations that he allowed gang-like teams of deputies to run freely.

He stated the controversies have been “false narratives” crafted as political assaults.

Luna is about to be sworn in as sheriff in a ceremony subsequent month.

“I need to want the incoming sheriff nicely,” Villanueva stated. “The security of the group will depend on him succeeding.”

With Put up wires