Q&A: Antonio Villaraigosa on Affordability, Building Coalitions and His Run for Calif. Governor

March 3, 2026

Antonio Villaraigosa, a former Los Angeles mayor and California Assembly Speaker, is running for governor for the second time, positioning himself as a problem-solver focused on making California more affordable. Despite California being the world's fourth-largest economy, he emphasizes the state's paradoxical status of having one of the nation's highest poverty rates alongside its prosperity. His campaign centers on addressing affordability issues, particularly in Black and Latino communities, through reformed energy and housing policies that balance progressive goals with practical economic needs.

Who is affected

Black Californians
Latino communities
Working families struggling with affordability
Medi-Cal recipients facing potential funding losses
Residents paying high utility bills and rent costs
People who drive cars and trucks
The homeless population
Antonio Villaraigosa (candidate)
Mayor Karen Bass and other Los Angeles political leaders who have endorsed him

What action is being taken

Antonio Villaraigosa is running for California governor
California Black Media is conducting a Q&A series with gubernatorial candidates
Villaraigosa is building a coalition with endorsements from Mayor Karen Bass, Council President Marqueece Harris Dawson, and other Los Angeles council members

Why it matters

Villaraigosa's candidacy addresses California's stark economic contradictions—being simultaneously one of the world's wealthiest economies and having poverty rates comparable to Louisiana. The affordability crisis disproportionately impacts Black and Latino communities through high housing costs, utility bills, gas prices, and potential healthcare funding cuts. His emphasis on practical policy solutions over "good intentions without practical results" represents a different approach to energy and housing policies that could significantly affect everyday Californians' cost of living.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint