Tag Archives: Antonio Villaraigosa

Antonio Villaraigosa Announces Plans to Run for California Governor

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Antonio Villaraigosa is giving it another shot…

The 71-year-old Mexican American politician and former Los Angeles Mayor has launched another bid for California governor, pitching himself as a “problem solver” in an announcement video.

Antonio Villaraigosa “When I became mayor, L.A. was one of the most dangerous cities in America, so I hired a thousand police officers, took illegal guns off the street and violent crime dropped,” he said.

In the video, he noted that Barack Obama had called him “one of America’s finest leaders.”

He said later, “We have serious problems, and money alone won’t fix them. We need to focus on what works.”

The next gubernatorial election is not until 2026, but potential successors to Governor Gavin Newsom are lining up. Newsom cannot run again because of term limits.

Villaraigosa joins a field that includes Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, State Sen. Toni Atkins, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and former State Controller Betty Yee.

Villaraigosa was mayor of Los Angeles from 2005 to 2013. He considered running for governor in the 2010 cycle, but he decided against it. He ran in the 2018 cycle, but placed third in the state’s open primary, falling short of securing one of two spots to advance in the general election. Newsom went on to handily win the race over Republican John Cox.

Castro to Serve as the Democratic National Convention Keynote Speaker

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He’s a rising star in the Democratic Party… And now Julián Castro will be making political history.

The 37-year-old Mexican-American politician, the two-term mayor of San Antonio, will be the first Latino keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention, an event chaired by another famous Latino politician: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Julian Castro

“Not only was the administration and Democratic National Committee recognizing the importance of Hispanics in America, but also I think it tells you that they’re seriously looking at Texas, at the demographic changes that have occurred in Texas [that] are making this state a state that quickly will turn purple and then blue after that,” said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa, the first Latino to hold that post. “This honor … is a recognition of that.”

To many, Castro—the son of famous activist Rosie Castro—represents the future of the party, which is making every effort to solidify its role as the party of choice for Latinos.

In 2010, he attended President Barack Obama‘s national jobs-and-growth economic forum at the White House, an event where the president actually joked that he thought Castro was an intern.

Many believe Castro could be considered the future face of the party, and someone who could win the presidency one day.

In a video announcing the address, Castro praised Obama’s 2004 speech, as well as his health reform act and foreign policy.

“Julián really stands out,” Raúl Hinojosa-Ojeda, an associate professor of Chicano and global studies at the University of California Los Angeles, told the New York Times in what has become a widely cited profile. “There are other talented young Hispanic politicians around, but few have his stature or national potential. He’s from San Antonio, but he’s very much admired in California. He’s like Obama — one of us, but someone who also comes out of a broader American experience.”

Longoria Named National Obama Campaign Co-Chair

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She’s a longtime and unwavering supporter of President Barack Obama… And, now Eva Longoria is stepping up to help with Obama’s re-election campaign.

The 36-year-old Mexican-American actress, who hosted a special Latino fundraiser for President Barack Obama in Los Angeles, has been named a national co-chair on Obama’s campaign.

Considered an indication of the incumbent’s strategic thinking as his campaign shifts into high gear, Obama’s appointment of Longoria and 34 other strategic supporters as “co-chairs” serves as a roadmap not just to where the president and his advisers see his support, but also to where they hope to strengthen or expand it.

The appointment of the Desperate Housewives star, who vigorously campaigned for Obama the last time around, recognizes Longoria’s personal loyalty to the president and shines a spotlight on the importance Obama and his strategists are attaching to Hollywood in this crucial stage of their reelection campaign. They’ll be looking to the entertainment industry for both contributions and high visibility celebrity endorsements like the ringing one provided by Longoria.

But Longoria isn’t the only Latina/o on the co-chair list… In all, seven of the appointees are of Hispanic descent.

The Latino vote went to Obama in 2008, but hard economic times have battered many communities of recent immigrants — like Los Angeles — and some activists have been disappointed by the president’s lukewarm engagement with the issue of comprehensive immigration reform.

This week’s appointments indicate that Obama’s reelection campaign is determined to shore up its Latino base with appointments ranging from San Antonio’s popular mayor Julian Castro to Los Angeles chief executive Antonio Villaraigosa and local labor leader Maria Elena Durazo of the AFL-CIO.

According to the Obama reelection campaign, the new co-chairs will act as the president’s electoral ambassadors with a special emphasize on getting out the vote in all 50 states.

Obama Attends Latino Fundraiser Hosted by Eva Longoria

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President Barack Obama’s support among Hispanics may be slipping, but that hasn’t stopped some of the biggest Latino celebrities from showing their support for the commander-in-chief.

In what’s been dubbed “the first ever Latino fundraiser for Mr. Obama,” Mexican-American actress Eva Longoria hosted a special event at the home of Spanish actor Antonio Banderas and his wife Melanie Griffith. The goal: rally Latino support for Obama.

Longoria hosts Obama fundraiser

Obama won 67% of the Latino vote in the 2008 election. But poll figures this summer showed his support among Latinos, hit disproportionately hard by unemployment and upset over the president’s failure to reform immigration laws and hit disproportionately hard by unemployment, had
dropped to less than 50%.

But Longoria wasn’t afraid to show her support for the president.

“[Obama] speaks to the Latino community because he knows he’s the president of all Americans,” said Longoria, who beamed with pride when introducing the president, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Other Latino celebrities present included Mexican-American comedian George Lopez, as well as Mexican-American journalist Giselle Fernández and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. In all, 300 entertainment industry leaders, elected officials and Obama supporters attended the $5,000 per person event—which drew some criticism from within the Latino community, with some saying he should be meeting people struggling with unemployment or facing deportation or the loss of their homes rather than actors and celebrities.

During his speech, Obama pledged to deliver on his promises on immigration reform.

“We have a system that is broken,” Obama said, according to THR. “We are doing everything we can administratively to try to lessen the pain and hardship that it’s causing. The borders need to be secure, but the people need to recognize that immigrants are helping make the country better and stronger.”

The president reportedly urged the people in attendance to become his “community ambassadors.” And he vowed to keep on fighting.

“Don’t weary. Don’t get tired,” he said. “Because I’m not tired. I may be gray, but I’m not tired.’’

“Amazing night with our great President #ObamaBaby!” said Longoria via Twitter this morning.

Image provided by Eva Longoria via Twitter.