Karen Bass endorses former L.A. mayor for California governor

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ choice to be the next governor of the Golden State was revealed Tuesday.

Bass told the Los Angeles Times that she will endorse Antonio Villaraigosa, a former two-term mayor of Los Angeles.

“Antonio and I have known and worked together our entire adult life,” Bass said in a statement to the Times. “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 told the newspaper that he was honored to have Bass’ support, describing the mayor as “a fierce advocate for working families, children, seniors, and underserved communities and a tireless champion for social and economic justice and for the people of Los Angeles.”

Villaraigosa released the first television ad of his campaign for governor last week, focusing on lower costs for California families, building affordable housing and cracking down on price-gougers.

“I’m Antonio Villaraigosa. I don’t run from tough problems. I solve them. That’s exactly what I’ll do as governor,” he states in the ad.

Villaraigosa is contending with a crowded field of gubernatorial hopefuls, including former Rep. Katie Porter, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former state legislative leader Toni Atkins, current state Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former state Controller Betty Yee and conservative commentator Steve Hilton.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris announced in July that she would not run for governor.