Antonio Villaraigosa is making a risky political move—he’s telling Democrats something they don’t want to hear.
In a wide-ranging interview with California Politics 360, the former Los Angeles Mayor laid out his case to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom when he terms out at the end of 2026. But unlike other candidates in the race, Villaraigosa isn’t blaming Washington for California’s problems. He’s blaming Sacramento.
“We need to realize Donald Trump isn’t the only reason why things are as bad as they are here in California,”Villaraigosa said.“There are problems we created.”Whether it’s gas prices, utility costs, home prices, or rent, he argues these stem from state policy decisions, not federal leadership. It’s a message that could resonate with middle-class Californians struggling with affordability—or alienate the progressive base he needs in a Democratic primary.
His platform reads like a corrective to a decade of Democratic governance. He’s proposing a moratorium on regulations that raise gas costs and threaten refineries, calling them a national security asset. On homelessness, he’s pushing for a middle ground: compassion, yes, but also accountability. He’s critiqued California’s approach to undocumented immigrant healthcare, suggesting fees rather than unlimited subsidies. On education, he’s adamant that throwing money at problems doesn’t work—California ranks in the mid-30s in reading and math for fourth graders, despite being 21st in per-pupil spending.
Villaraigosa’s polling numbers have lagged other top contenders, and he acknowledges the challenge.“Maybe people aren’t looking for common sense,”he told interviewer Ashley Zavala. But he’s betting that when working families leave the state because they can’t afford rent, gas, or utilities, someone needs to say it plainly: we’re living beyond our means. That’s not moderate positioning—it’s diagnosis.
The question isn’t whether Villaraigosa can win. It’s whether California voters, after years of hearing that their struggles are external, are ready to hear that Sacramento shares the blame.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
