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
$10.8M
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
BackgroundAttorney
EducationEast Los Angeles College
Notable personal detailsAntonio Villaraigosa is an American attorney and Democratic politician who served as the 41st mayor of Los Angeles from 2005 to 2013 and previously served in the California State Assembly, including as Speaker. He also served on the Los Angeles City Council and later ran for governor in 2018 and again in 2026. He was born in Los Angeles, California, and is associated with East Los Angeles College, UCLA, and People’s College of Law.
SourcesShowHide
antonio2026.comen.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgbritannica.comjoincalifornia.comes.wikipedia.orgru.ruwiki.ruencyclopedia.comcommons.wikimedia.orgru.wikipedia.orgkeyt.comstanforddaily.comlatimes.comarxiv.orgscauwg.orgca-times.brightspotcdn.comculture.lacity.govlabusinessjournal.comppic.orgcalmatters.orgabcnews.go.comcourthousenews.comaclusocal.orgwehoonline.comgvwire.comladwpnews.comontheissues.orgpbs.orgcbsnews.comnbclosangeles.comuagetinvolved.orgabc7.comuscannenbergmedia.comlasentinel.netspectrumlocalnews.comkqed.orglaist.compolitico.comyoutube.comfacebook.cominstagram.comvotesmart.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgballotready.orgnga.orgfec.govcongress.govhistory.house.govgallego.senate.govepw.senate.govjudiciary.senate.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 updatedJul 15, 2026
Antonio Villaraigosa is running in California’s 2026 governor’s race and has been active in the crowded primary campaign. He has been debating major issues like immigration, homelessness, affordability and gas prices, and has pushed for suspending the state gas tax and easing refinery regulations. Recent coverage says the race remains highly competitive with no clear front-runner, and Villaraigosa has been part of the main debate stage alongside other leading candidates.
antonio2026.com+53
Articles
TMThe Mercury News1 month ago
California’s slow ballot count makes it a target for critics. It doesn’t mean elections are rigged
Neutral
NNNBC News2 months ago
California governor candidates tangle over immigration, homelessness in tense debate
Neutral
SASanta Ana Orange County Register2 months ago
Leading candidates for California governor face off in another high-stakes debate
Neutral
TTMZ2 months ago
California Governor's Debate Goes Off Rails, Chad Bianco 'Proud' of Oath Keeper Ties
Neutral
Polls
California Governor primary: 1st place
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
California Governor primary: 1st place
Endorsers of Antonio Villaraigosa for California Governor primary: 1st place
District Council of Iron Workers of California and the Vicinity
Elected official
The District Council of Iron Workers of California and the Vicinity endorsed Antonio Villaraigosa for governor.
California Federation of Labor Unions
Elected official
The California Federation of Labor Unions endorsed Antonio Villaraigosa for governor in the 2026 primary election.
Operating Engineers Local 3
Elected official
Operating Engineers Local 3 endorsed Antonio Villaraigosa for governor.
California State Building & Construction Trades Council
Elected official
The California State Building & Construction Trades Council endorsed Antonio Villaraigosa for governor.
California Pipe Trades Council
Elected official
California Pipe Trades Council endorsed Antonio Villaraigosa for governor.
Karen Bass
Elected official
Karen Bass endorsed Antonio Villaraigosa for California governor.
California Professional Firefighters
Elected official
California Professional Firefighters endorsed Antonio Villaraigosa for governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising