Villanueva made the announcement during an interview Tuesday night, saying he'll run against incumbent Supervisor Janice Hahn in the March primary.
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Hahn has held the District 4 seat since 2016 and was re-elected in 2020.
Villanueva held a press conference Wednesday and explained why he chose to run.
"The Board of Supervisors has a responsibility to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the county - all the residents," he said. "In that regard, they have failed absolutely, miserably. I cannot find a measure of success in any activity the board has engaged in."
Oversight panel calls for LA County Sheriff Villanueva to immediately resign
Oversight panel calls for LA County Sheriff Villanueva to immediately resign
As sheriff, Villanueva clashed repeatedly with the board. He was accused of ignoring oversight and accountability, disregarding subpoenas to appear before the county Civilian Oversight Commission.
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If Villanueva is able to win the election, he would work directly with those supervisors and current L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna, who beat him in last year's election.
Sheriff Villanueva again refuses to testify before civilian panel investigating deputy gangs
Sheriff Villanueva again refuses to testify before civilian panel investigating deputy gangs
In a statement Wednesday morning, Hahn's campaign called Villanueva a "fraud and a failure."
"L.A. County voters - including District 4 - resoundingly rejected the man known as the 'Donald Trump of L.A. County' last November for his incompetence and corruption. L.A. County became less safe under Villanueva's reign. He is a fraud and a failure, and L.A. County voters won't be fooled again."