Having read a little bit about Villaneuva and the election, I get the sense people don't like him, is this so? I looked at his record and from an accomplishment standpoint he's instituted some pretty substantial policing reforms.

He has but it’s political. He’s also done things they don’t like. I’m not convinced he’s fine the corrupt things he’s accused of.  Hard to prove.

Los Angeles Times

Editorial: The Sheriff Villanueva-style tradition of service is no service to the public

L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva's stance against mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for deputies exposes his disregard for those he is supposed to serve.

Read more from Los Angeles Times

Here is the real issue.  The Democratic Party got him elected. Then they tried to jerk him around and make demands, which he refused to bend to unless he agreed with it. So they abandoned him to show him they could get rid of him.  He is now aligned with Republicans but they don’t all support him because of his previous ties. So he may be ousted.  He has strong competition.

LAist

Dumped by Democratic Party, Sheriff Villanueva Will Headline LA County GOP Winter Wonderland Party

The sheriff faces a tough re-election battle next year, with eight challengers seeking to unseat him.

Read more from LAist

Yeah, this is one of the articles I came across.

He may have done that to avoid losing officers. Many of them refuse to be vaccinated. They have already had Covid,