Days after the general election that marked the midpoint of his term as Los Angeles County Sheriff, Robert Luna said he “absolutely” intends to run again in 2026.

Luna issued a short statement on Sunday amid rumors that he was planning to resign due to health issues.

“It’s not true,” he told the Times. “I have no health problems. I will definitely run for re-election.”

of Little-known former Long Beach police chief He came out of retirement two years ago to run for sheriff, positioning himself as a level-headed antidote to what he once called “bad actors.” “Dysfunction and confusion”” said his predecessor Alex Villanueva.

After receiving over 60% of the votes, Luna declared: county’s 34th sheriff in december 2022.

Since taking office, he has grappled with many of the same issues that have plagued previous sheriffs, including poor prison conditions, sprawling consent decrees, allegations about deputy gangs and persistent staffing woes. But he also made promises to provide more egalitarian leadership and repair fractured relationships with other county leaders.

In recent weeks, Luna has been the subject of widespread speculation, both from outsiders and within the department, about his possible early departure.

On Sunday, Malibu community activist and blogger CeCe Woods wrote in a post on social platform It’s widespread,” he wrote. He added, “Multiple sources say he has Parkinson’s disease.”

Jeff Millman, an adviser to Luna’s 2022 campaign, responded online to Woods’ post, calling it “false” and confirming the sheriff would run again.

“Full speed ahead,” he wrote.

Late Sunday afternoon, Luna told the Times that the rumors were “not true.”

The union representing rank-and-file members, Assn. A Los Angeles deputy sheriff intervened in Luna’s defense, telling the Times that union leaders had been “subjected to these horrific rumors” for more than a week.

“Our approach was simple. We asked Sheriff Luna himself if he had Parkinson’s disease, and he said no, he was in good health,” said Derek, the union’s executive director.・Mr. Hsieh said in a statement. “It’s unfortunate that there are people who make up and spread rumors about him.”

The statement went on to say, “It is alarming that some people seem intent on undermining the sheriff, especially at this critical time.”