Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass endorsed former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in the 2026 California governor’s race on Tuesday.

The two Democratic leaders have known each other for more than 50 years, first meeting as community activists in the 1970s.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass plans to endorse Antonio Villaraigosa, a longtime compatriot and the city’s former mayor, in the 2026 governor’s race on Tuesday.

“Antonio and I have known and worked together our entire adult life,” Bass said in a statement. “I have seen up close the impact he has made not just for our city but for our entire state. Our country is at a crossroads and it’s vital that our state have a leader who will lead California into the future.”

Villaraigosa said he was honored to have Bass’ support, describing the mayor as “a

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