Tweet
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has had his battles since taking the helm in 2019 of the 18,000 member county department. Villanueva came under fire when he moved to enforce the closure of gun stores during the 2020 pandemic and the subsequent Newsom statewide lockdowns. A Change.org petition was started to gain support to recall him but never received much traction. Villanueva has recently gained new favor with his support of crime victims who have been affected by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon’s Special Directives. Villanueva has also publicly supported the Gascon Recall efforts.
Despite this newfound goodwill, Eliezer “Eli” Vera, a Senior Staff Sheriff’s Deputy, is ready to take advantage of Villanueva’s inconsistent record and challenge him in 2022.
Reply(1)
If Eliezer Vera, chief of the department s Technology and Support Division, announced plans to run against Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva. (Shutterstock / Elliott Cowand Jr)
LOS ANGELES, CA A senior member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff s Department s leadership ranks Wednesday threw his hat into the ring to run against Sheriff Alex Villanueva in 2022. If Eliezer Vera, chief of the department s Technology and Support Division, were to unseat his boss, it would be only the second time in a century that an incumbent Los Angeles County sheriff lost a reelection bid.
Villanueva beat former Sheriff Jim McDonnell in 2018 in a historic upset victory. Since then, he s clashed with county leaders and fallen out of favor with some in the Democratic Party that propelled him to victory with a key endorsement.
By City News Service
US-JUSTICE-THEFT
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A senior member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff s Department s leadership ranks has announced his intention to run against Sheriff Alex Villanueva in 2022.
Eliezer Vera is chief of the department s Technology and Support Division, and has been with the LASD since 1988.
He criticized Villanueva for how the sheriff has handled disagreements since his election in 2018.
“I believe as law enforcement officers our mission is to bring calmness and civility and peace to very difficult situations. And what we ve witnessed from the current sheriff is someone that when someone disagrees with him, we see nothing but utter disdain and contempt, Vera said as he announced his candidacy Wednesday morning in Grand Park, surrounded by his wife, children, mother and grandchildren.
I believe as law enforcement officers our mission is to bring calmness and civility and peace to very difficult situations. And what we ve witnessed from the current sheriff is someone that when someone disagrees with him, we see nothing but utter disdain and contempt, Vera said as he announced his candidacy Wednesday morning in Grand Park, surrounded by his wife, children, mother and grandchildren. I believe an organization is as a reflection of its leader. The community looks to law enforcement to be the voice of reason during its worst of times. Unfortunately, at the present time, the Los Angeles County Sheriff s Department has developed a reputation for contributing to contention during trying times, Vera said in a statement issued later Wednesday.
- ADVERTISEMENT -
Eliezer Vera is chief of the department’s Technology and Support Division, and has been with the LASD since 1988.
He criticized Villanueva for how the sheriff has handled disagreements since his election in 2018.
“I believe as law enforcement officers our mission is to bring calmness and civility and peace to very difficult situations. And what we’ve witnessed from the current sheriff is someone that when someone disagrees with him, we see nothing but utter disdain and contempt,” Vera said as he announced his candidacy Wednesday morning in Grand Park, surrounded by his wife, children, mother and grandchildren.