Polling Average
20%15%10%5%0%
16.7%
13.0%
12.5%
11.6%
11.0%
10.0%
5.0%
California Governor primary: 1st place
$5.7M
JUN 2, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer Mayor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age73 years old (Jan 23, 1953)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) — B.A., History (1977)
Notable personal detailsAntonio Ramón Villaraigosa is an American politician who served as the 41st Mayor of Los Angeles (2005–2013). He previously served in the California State Assembly, including as Speaker, and represented Los Angeles on the City Council. He is a UCLA alumnus with a B.A. in history (1977) and has worked in public service and civic leadership roles in California.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgnewsroom.ucla.edubritannica.comjoincalifornia.comkeyt.comes.wikipedia.orgarchive.verdexchange.orglaalmanac.comachievement.orghistorica.fandom.comlatimes.comcommons.wikimedia.orgsomosprimos.comlatinosleadnow.orgceo.lacounty.govaccessmagazine.orgccas.ucla.edumain.aisc.ucla.eduadmission.ucla.eduantonio2026.comlabusinessjournal.comppic.orgcalmatters.orgabcnews.go.comcourthousenews.comaclusocal.orgwehoonline.comgvwire.comladwpnews.comontheissues.orgpbs.orgcbsnews.comapnews.comwashingtonpost.combloomberg.comdallasnews.comcongress.govfec.govballotready.orggovinfo.govnga.orgncsl.orgjudiciary.senate.govdocs.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Antonio Villaraigosa’s public record and 2026 campaign messaging show mixed positions on taxes: his campaign advertises commitments to hold the line on property taxes and veto large tax increases on working families, while his record as Los Angeles mayor includes supporting local sales-tax increases and proposing other revenue-raising measures when addressing budget shortfalls. Overall his positions contain both support for some tax increases and rhetoric promising to limit or veto new taxes.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to health care and universal coverage in principle but opposes creating a state-level single-payer/Medicare-for-All system, arguing it is unrealistic and would be unaffordable. Favors pragmatic, incremental improvements to lower costs and expand coverage rather than pursuing single-payer.
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Immigration & Border
Supports comprehensive immigration reform including a pathway to legal status/citizenship for undocumented immigrants while calling for “smart enforcement” that prioritizes deporting serious criminals and protecting families and asylum access. Opposes mass deportation raids and emphasizes humanitarian protections for children and families.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports protecting abortion access and reproductive health care and has described himself as a defender of a woman’s right to choose. He has backed policies to expand access to contraception and opposed measures (such as parental-notification initiatives) that would restrict reproductive decision-making.
Climate & Energy
Supports an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy that includes expansion of renewables and small nuclear while protecting in-state oil refineries and opposing policies he says would force refinery closures and raise fuel costs. Emphasizes balancing climate goals with affordability and jobs for working-class Californians. Positions combine past renewable initiatives from his time as Los Angeles mayor with current advocacy for continued fossil fuel production during the transition.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports strong gun-safety measures including bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, universal/background checks, measures to remove illegal guns from streets, and expanded mental-health interventions alongside investments in policing and public safety. Emphasizes taking illegal guns off the streets and has promoted divestment from companies that manufacture assault weapons.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Antonio Villaraigosa is in the mix in a wide-open 2026 California governor’s race, where no candidate is polling above the mid-teens and the fight is to finish in the top two in the June primary. Democrats are worried their crowded field could split the vote and allow two Republicans to advance under the state’s top-two system. The California Democratic Party says it will start releasing a series of polls later this month to clarify the standings and potentially push lower-polling candidates to drop out, a move that has sparked concerns about party interference.
en.wikipedia.org+44
Articles
SCSanta Clarita Valley Signal3 months ago
Dan Walters | Gubernatorial Field Set; Now What?
Neutral
LALos Angeles Times4 months ago
Fix potholes? Fight Trump? Choice faces next California governor
Neutral
NYNew York Post4 months ago
California governor debate gives first look at crowded crop in race to replace Gavin Newsom
Neutral
SASanta Ana Orange County Register4 months ago
California governor’s race: How to watch tonight’s televised debate
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
California Governor primary: 1st place
Endorsers of Antonio Villaraigosa for California Governor primary: 1st place
Karen Bass
Elected official
Karen Bass endorsed Antonio Villaraigosa for California governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising