Congresswoman Karen Bass has endorsed former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2018 at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, one of his most prominent endorsements from the African American community so far. According to the 2015 U.S. Census Bureau, it’s estimated that Black voters make up 6.5% of the state’s population but hold a stronghold when it comes to the democratic vote. African Americans helped Villaraigosa win his bid for mayor in 2005.
The two leaders discussed the importance of expanding opportunities for technical training for all Californians – including students under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Villaraigosa discussed immigration and his views on a pathway to citizenship by stating, “people come from every corner of the earth to this great country and that’s why we’re great. You know Donald Trump says he wants to make America great again; actually what he wants to do is take us back to the 19th century and were not going back. The hands of time only go forward. Look, everybody knows the immigration system is broken. Let’s fix it. Let’s give people a pathway to citizenship that says, if you’re paying your taxes, you haven’t committed serious violent crimes, you ought to be able to have a pathway. Let’s fix this system. When I say giving voice to every Californian, I mean every Californian.”
Bass stated, “Antonio is working to lift up this state so everyone, everywhere has equal opportunities. So, good jobs are not just for people in Silicon Valley or Silicon Beach but for everyone. So, good schools are not just in wealthy neighborhoods but for everyone, everywhere. So, we are not a wealthy coast and a struggling inland, but one California [where] every single one of us has a chance to learn and earn.”
Villiarogosa has been traveling the state of California having listening to sessions; his website states his campaign is about—giving voice to everyone and that’s what his service as governor will be about—making sure the people are heard in Sacramento and their priorities are addressed. The 63-year-old remarried last year to Patricia Govea.
Candidates for California 2018 Governor’s race include Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, State Treasurer John Chiang, former state Superintendent of Schools Delaine Eastin, Assemblyman Travis Allen, Attorney John Cox, Writer and real estate investor Zoltan Istvan and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villiarogosa.
