Originally published Sept. 9, 2025, on LAist.com
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass on Tuesday announced her endorsement of her longtime ally Antonio Villaraigosa. The two Los Angeles mayors have known each other for more than five decades.
What Villaraigosa said: On social media, Villaraigosa, who grew up in Boyle Heights, said he was honored to receive Bass’ endorsement, adding that he looks forward “to collaborating for the health, safety, and betterment of Angelenos and all Californians.”
What Bass said: In a statement, she pointed to Villaraigosa’s long political career and said, “Antonio will bring that same passion and conviction to stand up to the White House’s attacks on our state and deliver needed results to improve the lives of millions of Californians.”
The other candidates: The former L.A. mayor is running against a number of other prominent Democrats, including former Rep. Katie Porter of Irvine, who’s currently leading early polls, and former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. A frontrunner hasn’t emerged yet after Vice President Kamala Harris’s decision not to pursue the office.
Their alliance: The endorsement comes as little surprise, as Villaraigosa and Bass are longtime political allies. “In the 48 years I have known Karen Bass, she’s always been a person of courage and conviction,” he said when endorsing Bass’ mayoral run in 2021, according to the L.A. Times.
The backstory: If elected, Villaraigosa would become the first Los Angeles mayor to become governor. He would also become the state’s first Latino governor since the 19th century. The same would be true if Becerra wins the election.
