Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LA Mayor Karen Bass endorses longtime ally Antonio Villaraigosa in California’s governor race
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass sits next to former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in a parade in 2022, during Bass' first campaign for mayor.
(
Kyle Stokes
/
LAist
)
Topline:
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 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."
Support for LAist comes from
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.
Corrected September 9, 2025 at 1:11 PM PDT
Due to an editing error, a previous version of this story incorrectly cited L.A. Mayor Karen Bass' predecessor as Antonio Villaraigosa. It is Eric Garcetti. We regret this error.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Children asked to waive right to see a judge in exchange for $2,500 -
There’s still a lot to be determined as the refinery, which supplies about one-fifth of Southern California's vehicle fuels, works to restore production and as data is collected. -
The FCC voted to end E-Rate discounts for library hotspot lending and school bus Wi-Fi. -
About half the Pacific Airshow’s 2025 lineup has been grounded because of the federal government shutdown. -
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding. -
Scientists say La Niña is likely, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a dry winter in Southern California.
Best of LAist