Robert Luna to become L.A. County sheriff as Alex Villanueva concedes election
Juana Ayala, a political consultant and activist who grew up in Compton, was an outspoken opponent of L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. She said she was disappointed he won and said she felt the election was stolen from her. “We’re just so mad and so frustrated,” she said.
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Juana Ayala, a political consultant and activist who grew up in Compton, was an outspoken opponent of L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva.CreditCreditDamon Winter for The New York Times
By Laura J. Nelson
AUGUST 17, 2018
L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s campaign said the Republican candidate had turned in paperwork declaring that he had accepted federal funds worth about $400,000 to run as a Republican for the office, a requirement in California only for candidates who receive federal money. Mr. Villanueva has acknowledged accepting the money, but he said he had done so only because he felt his opponents were trying to “tarnish his name.”
After several hours of counting, the results of Tuesday’s election showed that even though the sheriff’s race remained in doubt, the race was decided in favor of Sheriff Villanueva. With 71 percent of the vote still to be counted, Alex Villanueva had won 51.2 percent of the vote to L.A. County District Attorney Jackie Lacey’s 46.5 percent.
The results could make little difference for Mr. Villanueva’s future, as he is seeking reelection, and for Republicans in the coming redistricting cycles. Because Tuesday’s election results did not meet legal requirements, the next few months will be critical for Republicans.
While Mr. Villanueva was declared the winner, there were still plenty of contests of local importance — and at least one of them featured candidates who had won the election only four months prior.
An effort to bring back $50 million in state funds for school construction stalled and could fall apart over a budget dispute between the state and the federal government