Villaraigosa enters race for California governor

Antonio Villaraigosa announced Tuesday he will run for California governor in 2026. (Getty)

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced Tuesday he is running for governor of California in 2026, saying the state needs "someone willing to make difficult -- and even unpopular -- decisions."

It is the second time Villaraigosa is making a run for governor of California.

"I've not been afraid to take on the tough issues," Villaraigosa said ahead of his announcement Tuesday, which he shared exclusively with Politico.

Villaraigosa is a Democrat but he indicated a willingness to buck party tradition in Sacramento.

"I'm not looking to be the most popular guy in town. I have a record that demonstrates that I've been willing to take on those tough issues," he said.

Villaraigosa recently attended a campaign event for Adam Schiff, a Congressman from Burbank who is running for U.S. Senate.

Villaraigosa ran for governor in 2018 in a losing effort to Gavin Newsom.

Other Democrats in the 2024 race for governor include Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, the first to declare her candidacy, state Sen. Toni Atkins, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and former Controller Betty Yee.

Attorney General Rob Bonta is weighing a bid, along with a pair of Republicans including Southern California Sheriff Chad Bianco.

"I'm not running for anything else," added Villaraigosa, who is 71. "So a popularity contest is not what I'm looking for. You're never gonna see Antonio Villaraigosa -- candidate for president or vice president. I want to be a damn good governor."