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Eric Strong for Sheriff 2026: A Leader Who Puts Principles Over Politics

  • Writer: Ryan Cahill
    Ryan Cahill
  • Sep 21
  • 5 min read

In Los Angeles County, the Sheriff’s Department is one of the most powerful law enforcement agencies in the nation. With nearly 10 million residents across diverse communities, the department is responsible not only for enforcing laws but also for shaping the trust between the public and those who serve them. The role of Sheriff requires more than a badge — it demands character, vision, and the ability to lead with both strength and integrity.

This is why Eric Strong stands out as the candidate best prepared to bring reform, accountability, and fairness to the Sheriff’s Department in 2026. His career, his values, and his commitment to service make him a leader who embodies FLAG PAC’s mission: putting principles over politics.


A Career of Service and Experience

Eric Strong’s life and career have been shaped by a commitment to public service. With over two decades in law enforcement, he has served in a variety of roles that gave him a clear view of both the strengths and shortcomings of policing in Los Angeles. Unlike many candidates who remain tied to entrenched systems, Strong has built a career on listening, adapting, and pushing for change where it is most needed.


Strong has seen firsthand the consequences of a department that struggles with trust and accountability. He understands that leadership is not about clinging to old systems or maintaining the status quo — it is about building new models that ensure public safety and community confidence go hand in hand. His experience, combined with his reform-minded approach, sets him apart as the candidate capable of navigating one of the most complex law enforcement agencies in the country.


Why Leadership Matters Now

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has faced repeated crises in recent years: scandals involving misconduct, concerns over deputy wellness, and the growing need for law enforcement to work alongside behavioral health and social service providers. These challenges have made one thing clear: leadership at the top must evolve.


Strong’s approach to leadership is rooted in accountability and courage. He has spoken openly about the need to build a culture where deputies are supported, where misconduct is not tolerated, and where the community can trust the department to act fairly and transparently. His vision is not one of division or partisanship but of service — service to both the people of Los Angeles County and the men and women who wear the badge.


Reform Through Accountability

One of Strong’s defining qualities is his commitment to reform. He does not shy away from tough conversations about deputy misconduct, public trust, or systemic challenges. Instead, he confronts them directly with a focus on solutions.


Strong believes that accountability is not punishment — it is responsibility. By holding leaders and deputies to the highest standards, he seeks to strengthen the Sheriff’s Department from the inside out. His vision includes building stronger systems of oversight, increasing transparency in decision-making, and restoring credibility to an office that has too often been mired in controversy.


For Strong, reform is not about slogans or political grandstanding. It is about implementing real systems that prevent problems before they occur and addressing issues swiftly when they arise.


Public Safety and Community Trust

Strong understands that public safety is more than just policing — it is about building trust. Communities thrive when residents feel safe, respected, and heard. Too often, law enforcement has been seen as separate from or even in conflict with the people it serves. Strong’s vision bridges that divide.


By prioritizing training, wellness, and accountability, Strong plans to create a department that works with communities rather than over them. He recognizes that reducing crime requires more than arrests; it requires addressing root causes, partnering with local leaders, and ensuring deputies are equipped to respond effectively to complex situations, including those involving mental health and addiction.


A Champion for Deputy Wellness

One of Strong’s strongest commitments is to the deputies themselves. Policing is demanding work, and deputies face high levels of stress, trauma, and public scrutiny. Without adequate support, the risks of burnout, misconduct, and even suicide rise dramatically.


Strong has consistently emphasized the importance of deputy wellness. He advocates for mental health support, training, and resources that allow deputies to thrive both personally and professionally. By prioritizing wellness, he ensures that the people tasked with protecting Los Angeles are themselves healthy, supported, and able to serve with integrity.


Bridging Behavioral Health and Law Enforcement

Another area where Strong’s vision aligns with FLAG PAC’s mission is in the integration of behavioral health and public safety. Los Angeles County faces an ongoing crisis in mental health and addiction, challenges that often intersect with law enforcement.


Too many people experiencing crises end up in jail cells instead of treatment facilities. Strong has recognized this imbalance and calls for stronger partnerships between law enforcement, behavioral health providers, and community organizations. His approach acknowledges that true public safety requires addressing underlying issues — not simply cycling vulnerable people through the criminal justice system.


By advancing programs that connect individuals to treatment, Strong is not only reducing recidivism but also building a system that values rehabilitation over punishment.


Principles Over Politics

At a time when law enforcement has become a political battleground, Strong has chosen a different path: he leads with principles over politics. He does not frame his candidacy around party affiliation or ideological battles. Instead, his campaign is grounded in values — integrity, accountability, and a commitment to the people.


This approach reflects exactly what FLAG PAC stands for. The role of Sheriff should not be about left or right, red or blue. It should be about building a department that protects all communities equally, enforces the law fairly, and operates with transparency. Strong’s candidacy embodies that vision.


Looking Ahead

The 2026 race for Los Angeles County Sheriff will be one of the most important in the region. The winner will inherit not just a badge and a title but the responsibility of guiding a department in need of reform, renewal, and restored public confidence.


Eric Strong is prepared to take on that responsibility. His career, his values, and his vision demonstrate that he is not just running for office — he is running to lead with integrity. In supporting Strong, FLAG PAC is endorsing more than a candidate. We are endorsing a principle: that leadership in law enforcement must be built on character, accountability, and a commitment to the rule of law.


Conclusion

Eric Strong represents the kind of leadership Los Angeles County needs: courageous, accountable, and grounded in service. His candidacy is not about political power but about restoring trust, reforming a troubled department, and creating a safer, healthier future for all communities.


At FLAG PAC, we believe in supporting leaders who put people first. That is why we proudly stand with Eric Strong for Sheriff. Because when leaders put principles over politics, everyone wins.

 
 
 

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