Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass plans to recognize long-time compatriots and the city’s former mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in the 2026 governor competition.
“Antonio and I both know and work together,” Bass said in a statement. “I have seen the impact he has not only had on our city, but also on our entire state. Our country is at a crossroads and it is crucial that our state has a leader who will lead California into the future.”
Villaraigosa said he was honored to be supported by bass, describing the mayor as an “advocate for working families, children, seniors and underserved communities and social and economic justice and the people of Los Angeles.”
The contest to replace Gavin Newsom, known as Governor, attracted Crowded competitor field Has famous credentials.
In addition to Villaraigosa, who served as mayor of Los Angeles for eight years, other prominent candidates include former representatives. Katie Porter Irvine, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerraformer state legislative leader Tony Atkinscurrent national vice president. Public guidance Tony Thurmondformer state controller Betty Yeewealthy businessman Stephen CloobeckHebin County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris chooses to oppose the governor’s competitionIndependent polls found Porter and Bianco’s edges are narrow In the 2026 competition. But a lot can happen in the eight months before the June primary. Politically active Californians are concentrated primarily in the November special election Re-draw California’s Congressional District.
Despite being the Democratic leader of the second largest city in the United States, in the vast majority of blue states and a senior member of Congress, it is unclear how much weight the bass endorsement will weigh in the governor’s race.
Her discount ratings have dropped since her Election as mayor in 2022. UC Berkeley/Los Angeles Times poll showed that 50% of Los Angeles voters were in her favor shortly before the bass won the mayoral race. In April after wildfires destroyed the area, 50% of the visual field is not good Her however, bass reputation may rebound during this summer’s federal immigration raid.
Bass once knew Villaraigosa was the former two mayors and legislative leader of Los Angeles, and has been around for more than half a century. They met as community activists in the 1970s, focusing on issues such as drug epidemics, police responsibilities, and poverty.
They have long supported each other’s political pursuits. Villaraigosa is a Early supporters of bass Mayor’s Movement 2022 and serves on her Mayor’s Transition Team.
Bays plans to publicly acknowledge Villaraigosa Tuesday morning outside the Los Angeles outpost, the weekly newspaper of the Black Ally Aptare. Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris Dawson, Councilwoman Heather Hutt, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, Inglewood City Councilman Dionne Faulk and South Los Angeles religious leaders will also be participants.
Black voters in the city are Co-built Villaraigosa That won the 2005 Mayor’s competition.
Villaraigosa told Sentinel in 2022: “I learned a lot of the success I have achieved since I was a child.” He added that he “wouldn’t be elected mayor if he wasn’t for African Americans, Latin Americans, Asians, Jews, Jews and progressive whites.”
