Los Angeles Sheriff Villanueva Falls Behind in Reelection Bid

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva speaks at a press conference to address vaccine mandates—which he calls an "imminent threat to public safety" if terminations occur in his department as a result of the mandates at a press conference in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 2, 2021. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who fought back against pandemic mandates and controversies during his first term, was in danger of losing his bid for reelection as early results favored his opponent Nov. 9.

Former Long Beach Chief of Police and Democrat Robert Luna maintained a lead in the race with 56.8 percent of the vote by midday Nov. 9 as Villanueva trailed by about 200,000 votes, earning 43 percent support as of 1 p.m., Nov. 9.