Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa Will Not Run for Governor

Very unexpected political developments in California. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa reveals he will not run for governor to replace the outgoing and term-limited Arnold Schwarzenegger.  

The mayor tells CNN's Wolf Blitzer that he wants to devote his full attention to Los Angeles, which is facing its worst fiscal crisis in decades. Villaraigosa says: "Cities are on the frontlines of the challenges facing us in terms of the economic crisis. Here in the City of LA, 12.5% unemployment rate, 21,000 people have lost their home over the last 2 years, we're facing a unprecedented and historical budget deficit of $530 million dollars. I feel compelled to complete what I started out to do."

The Los Angeles Times notes that Villaraigosa’s decision adds "a dash of clarity to the race for the 2010 Democratic gubernatorial nomination" which appears will be between state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Brown has yet to say if he will run. Newsom aggressively launched his campaign on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook in April.

Comments

[Ravenback]

Unfortunately, I feel another republican will become governor.

[Kmark]

I didn't want this f***er as gov nor mayor. Latinos are out of control in this county (LA).

[A. Martinez]

EXCUSE ME?????

[Dameion]

@ kmart:

more out of control than the crips in long beach? Or the black on black crime in compton? yea umm nice try

[J in L.A.]

Typo correction: The L.A. deficit amount is
$530 million.

[Ravenback]

Everybody stop the race-baiting. Kmark, that was uncalled for and you know it.

[Alex]

My first thought on hearing this on NPR was, "really?" Him running for governor was a possibility? He's not a great mayor in the first place.

[Kmark]

Dame...

Go and read about the Mexican gangs pushing blacks out of LA and then talk to me. Ain't nothing of that was race-baiting cause it's the truth. Please don't protect all the latinos cause that's what you sleep with Raven.

[Ravenback]

@ Kmark

I strongly suggest you check yourself. You are race-baiting when you make negative comments about a certain ethnic group. And you don't know anything about me to suggest who I sleep with. Obviously, you are incapable of taking it after you have dished it out. So pull your panties out of your crack and adjust yourself. The wedgy has cut the circulation off to your brain. If you can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen because you will get burned.

[Ravenback]

@ Kmark

And furthermore, let's not even get into the issue of gangs. Are you somehow suggesting the Black gangs are better than Latino gangs? Because there are a whole lot of dead Black folks who will tell you otherwise. All gangs are scum. All gangs destroy communities and lives. So if you can't talk about all gangs, then don't talk about any at all. What are you know -- the spokesman for the Crips or the Bloods? Resolve that issue first.