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 had on not only our city but our entire state. Our country is at a crossroads and it is crucial that our state has a leader that 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 competition to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom has attracted a multitude of competitor areas.
In addition to Villaraigosa, who served as mayor of Los Angeles for eight years, other prominent candidates include former Rep. Katie Porter of former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, former state legislator Toni Atkins, and currently in the state community. Public guidance from Tony Thurmond, former state controller Betty Yee, wealthy businessman Stephen Cloobeck, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton.
After former Vice President Kamala Harris chose not to play the governor’s game, independent polls found that Porter and Bianco had a narrow advantage in the 2026 match. But a lot can happen in the eight months before the June primary. Politically active Californians focused primarily on the special election in November, involving the redefinition of California’s congressional districts.
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 enthusiasm rating has dropped since she was elected mayor in 2022. Shortly after Beth won the mayoral contest, 50% of Los Angeles voters were good for her, and she was good for her. After wildfires destroyed the area, 50% of people had negative opinions on her in April. But the reputation of bass may rebound during this summer’s federal immigration raid.
Bass has known Villaraigosa, the former two Los Angeles mayor and legislative leader, 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 an early supporter of the Bass 2022 Mayor’s Movement 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.
The city’s black voters are part of a league built by Villaraigosa, which won the mayor’s game in 2005.
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.”
