‘I’m Leaving the Party of Paid Protests, Purple Hair, and Pronouns’ [WATCH]

Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced this week that he is officially leaving the Democrat Party after more than four decades of affiliation, citing a shift in values and what he described as a growing disconnect between the party and everyday Americans.

“As of today, I’m leaving the party of paid protests, purple hair, and pronouns, and joining the party of faith, family, and freedom,” Villanueva declared in a video message posted Monday on his official X account.

#Breaking : Today I announced ending 44 years as a registered Dem and joining the @GOP Time to make #California purple again !@realDonaldTrump @latimes #PublicSafety pic.twitter.com/3cvlOF0giL

— Alex Villanueva (@AlexVilanueva33) May 3, 2025

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Villanueva, who served as LA County sheriff from 2018 to 2022, was initially elected as a Democrat running on a reform agenda.

However, during his time in office, he increasingly adopted more conservative positions, particularly on crime, public safety, and COVID-19 mandates—often putting him at odds with California’s Democrat-led government.

During the height of the pandemic, Villanueva openly defied several public health mandates.

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In July 2020, he declined to enforce county orders to close beaches over the Fourth of July weekend.

In 2021, he also refused to enforce a renewed indoor mask mandate, stating that it was “not backed by science” and contradicted guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Forcing the vaccinated and those who already contracted COVID-19 to wear masks indoors is not backed by science and contradicts the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines,” Villanueva wrote at the time.

Villanueva’s public opposition to progressive criminal justice policies also set him apart from other Democrats in Los Angeles.

He frequently criticized the Black Lives Matter movement and emphasized a law-and-order approach in response to rising crime across LA County.

In November 2022, Villanueva lost his re-election bid to former Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna.

Following his defeat, Villanueva remained politically active and continued to voice concerns about public safety and policy decisions coming from the state’s Democratic leadership.

Reaction to Villanueva’s announcement drew widespread attention on social media, particularly from Republican figures and organizations across California.

“Chairwoman @corrinrankin and the entire @CAGOP welcome you to the Republican Party, @AlexVilanueva33!” the California Republican Party wrote in a statement on X.

“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!”

Chairwoman @corrinrankin and the entire @CAGOP welcome you to the Republican Party, @AlexVilanueva33!
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! https://t.co/ZqqZ1ab8Ts

— California Republican Party (@CAGOP) May 4, 2025

California State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, who also left the Democrat Party, welcomed Villanueva’s decision.

“Who will be next?” she asked in her response.

“I left the Democratic party because they have lost touch with the every day American. So many promises broken and enough pandering to Hispanic Californians. Be done and register Republican.”

Welcome to the right side! Who will be next? I left the Democratic party because they have lost touch with the every day American. So many promises broken and enough y pandering to Hispanic Californians. Be done and register Republican. https://t.co/RjQiUvotim

— Marie Alvarado-Gil (@AlvaradoGil2026) May 4, 2025

Supporters praised Villanueva for aligning with what they described as the “Party of Common Sense” and applauded his decision to join the GOP as a voice for working Americans and the Latino community.

“The former sheriff of the largest county in the United States leaves the Democratic Party and registers @GOP,” wrote Cory Uhden, Southern California Regional Development Officer for the California Republican Party.

“Welcome, Sheriff, we could use your common sense.”

The former sheriff of the largest county in the United States leaves the Democratic Party and registers @GOP. Welcome, Sheriff, we could use your common sense leadership.@GOPLosAngeles @cagop https://t.co/jECEhdHR5X

— Corey Uhden (@CACoreyU) May 4, 2025

Villanueva has not announced whether he plans to return to public office, but his party switch adds to a growing number of high-profile figures and former Democrats voicing frustration with California’s political direction.

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