LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Los Angeles County Democratic Party Central Committee voted tonight to call for Sheriff Alex Villanueva to resign.
The vote came 10 days before the first anniversary of the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Andres Guardado by a sheriff's deputy in an unincorporated area near Gardena.
"Accountability has long been one of the foundations of democracy," said Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark Gonzalez. "As voters, we have an obligation to hold our leaders accountable for their actions, and as the Democratic Party, a responsibility to ensure that our elected officials are upholding our ideals and principles.
"Tonight, marking the one-year anniversary of the murder of Andres Guardado, Los Angeles Democrats stand in solidarity with the Guidardo family, recognizing the systematic brutality of law enforcement that has continued to shake our county. Leadership and accountability starts at the top, and while strides have been made to reform police culture in Los Angeles, it's simply not enough.
"Sheriff Villanueva has had multiple opportunities since his election to reign in long-standing problems within his department, which is why tonight, Los Angeles Democrats are holding him accountable and calling for his resignation.
"A failure to lead in Los Angeles, is a failure to serve Los Angeles. We will continue to hold those accountable who fail to live up to their obligations."
There was no immediate response to an email sent to the Sheriff's Department Tuesday night seeking a response from Villanueva.
The Los Angeles County Democratic Party Central Committee endorsed Villanueva in his 2018 race against then-Sheriff Jim McDonnell, helping him become the first Democrat to win the nonpartisan post in 138 years.