LA Mayor Karen Bass backs Antonio Villaraigosa for California governor

Gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa snagged an endorsement from someone who has his old job, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass — an announcement that came as no surprise to anyone familiar with L.A. politics.

Villaraigosa and Bass, both Democrats, have known each other for 52 years and often crossed paths while working on advocacy issues in Los Angeles before either held elected office. The longtime allies have a history of endorsing each other when running for office.

Calling Villaraigosa her “brother from another mother,” Bass on Tuesday, Sept. 9, said she decided to endorse him “the minute Antonio Villaraigosa decided to step in the race” for governor in July 2024.

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“There are other candidates in the race, and I’m not against other people in this race,” Bass said.

At the same time, Bass said her decades-long relationship with Villaraigosa and the similarity in their work and perspectives — from advocating for a subway line in South L.A. to health care access for Angelenos — tipped the scale in his favor.

“We have stood with each other every time either one of us have run, and it’s only consistent and logical that I would be here today,” she said.

The endorsement was touted during a news conference outside the Los Angeles Sentinel office in South L.A. Bass noted that Villaraigosa, who is Latino, set up his headquarters just down the street, in a historically Black community, when he first ran for mayor.

Villaraigosa, who endorsed Bass when she ran for mayor in 2022 and is backing her bid for reelection next year, said while he was pleased to see many familiar faces at the press conference, the day wasn’t just about friendships.

“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,” said Villaraigosa, flanked by not only Bass but numerous faith leaders from the community.

Villaraigosa, who served in the Assembly from 1994 to 2000 and was Assembly speaker from 1998 to 2000, later became the first Latino to lead the city of L.A. in over 130 years when he became mayor in 2005. He was mayor for eight years.

Despite that resume, Villaraigosa has been trailing other gubernatorial candidates in recent polls.

Among the well-known Democratic candidates are former state Senate Pro Tem President Toni Atkins, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, entrepreneur Stephen Cloobeck, former Rep. Katie Porter, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and former state Controller Betty Yee.

On the Republican side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and podcaster and former Fox News host Steve Hilton are running.

In a poll released in late August by UC Berkeley and the Los Angeles Times, Porter led the crowded field with 17% support among registered voters, followed by Bianco with 10%. Next were Becerra with 9%, Hilton with 6% and Villaraigosa at 4%.

Villaraigosa tied for the No. 5 spot with billionaire developer and former L.A. mayoral candidate Rick Caruso. Caruso is mulling a possible run for either governor or mayor of L.A. again, though he has not announced definitive plans.

Also up in the air is whether U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla decides to toss his name in the ring. California’s senior senator has been coy about his plans.

Also present during Tuesday’s press conference were L.A. City Councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Curren Price and Heather Hutt, as well as Compton Mayor Emma Sharif. The city officials have also endorsed Villaraigosa.

The primary election for governor is set for June 2, 2026. The top two vote-getters in the primary will face off in the November general election.