Bass endorses longtime friend as governor

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly endorsed former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as next governor of California.

Present day L.A. Mayor Karen Bass threw her support behind her longtime friend and political ally former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa during a news conference Tuesday morning attended by various faith and community leaders. Villaraigosa was elected to the California State Assembly in 1994 and served as the 41st mayor of L.A. from 2005 through 2013, making him the first Latino in over 130 years to serve in the role.

“For me, this is a special moment,'' Bass said Tuesday. “I know I have stood at a podium endorsing my brother from another mother on numerous occasions. Because, in fact, we have known each other and worked together our entire adult lives.”

“Many, many years before we ever thought that we would wind up being elected officials, but when we were fighting on issues that were common to South L.A. and East L.A., we have always believed that the way you bring about change is you do it together,” she continued. “You build coalitions because our issues and our problems are similar.''

Villaraigosa joined the crowded race for governor in July. He previously ran in 2016 and was defeated by current Gov. Gavin Newsom in the primary. Villaraigosa spent six years in the state Assembly, where he served as both the Democratic Majority Leader and Assembly Speaker. 

During his time at the Capitol, Villaraigosa focused on legislation to expand healthcare access and increase funding for public schools, among other issues. When he was mayor, his priorities centered around public safety, economic investment and education. He also led the charge for a subway/light rail line in the Crenshaw area, which is now running as the Metro K Line.

Villaraigosa was in a celebratory mood Tuesday as he accepted the endorsement from Bass, whom he said he has known for more than 50 years.

 “We've been working together across this town, focused on the issues that people care about - safe streets, clean neighborhoods, fair distribution of resources,'' he said. “… But let's be clear. This isn't just about friendship. We aren't here today because we're all friends. We're here today because these times are difficult. We face big challenges in this state. We need a broad coalition of people in this state to take on those challenges.”

Villaraigosa is joined in the race by former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra. On the Republican side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and Fox News contributor Steve Hilton are also running campaigns.

An Emerson College poll from August shows Porter as the frontrunner of the race with 18% followed by Hilton at 12%, Bianco at 7% and Villaraigosa at 5%. Still over a year out from the midterm elections, 38% of voters were undecided.

“I'm here today because there was a Civil Rights Act,” said Villaraigosa, adding, “I'm here today because there was a Voting Rights Act. I'm here today because people fought to open up this country to us ... to lead us and unite us right now in these tough times.''

With additional reporting by City News Service.