With the caveat that he has to get through the electricity crisis, but Davis is once again cementing his position as the most likely Dem nominee for President in 2004.
March 21, 2001 Calif. Gov. Endorses Villaraigosa By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 7:50 a.m. ET
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- In an unusual move, Gov. Gray Davis has endorsed Antonio Villaraigosa for mayor, handing a coup to the former Assembly speaker and potentially boosting Davis' own political fortunes.
Villaraigosa, 48, who served as Assembly speaker from 1998 to 2000, is campaigning to become the city's first Latino mayor in more than a century.
He will compete with five other leading candidates in a primary April 10. If none wins a majority, the top two contenders will face off June 5.
Villaraigosa, a liberal and former labor organizer, has already collected endorsements from the local Sierra Club chapter and U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer. Support from Davis, a popular centrist Democrat, is expected to strengthen his appeal to moderates and give his candidacy a boost.
Davis could benefit, too. Analysts agree that the cautious, deliberate governor would not insert himself in a high-profile local race if he didn't foresee political gain.
``He doesn't just throw these things out like candy,'' said Bruce Cain, director of the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California at Berkeley. ``Clearly, Gray would love to cement his relationship with the Latino community.''
Davis is up for re-election next year and his name has been mentioned as a future presidential candidate. Hispanic support could be critical for his success.
Moreover, by endorsing the former speaker, Davis may strengthen his support among Villaraigosa's political allies at a time when he needs legislative help to carry the state through its ongoing power crisis.
Garry South, Davis' senior political adviser, said the governor endorsed Villaraigosa because of his qualifications, not because the endorsement might affect Davis' own career.
``That's certainly not why he did it,'' South said. ``He did it because he thinks very highly of Antonio Villaraigosa.''
Davis announced his endorsement in a statement Tuesday.
Mayor Richard Riordan is being forced out by term limits.