LOS ANGELES — The antsy field of Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls has started sending an increasingly sharp message to former Vice President Kamala Harris: Let’s get this show on the road.

‘IN IT TO WIN IT’: Antonio Villaraigosa is running for governor, no matter what.

The former Los Angeles mayor and Assembly speaker today eschewed all “field-clearing” deference to former Vice President Kamala Harris during a conversation with our Melanie Mason at the UC Student and Policy Center in Sacramento. Villaraigosa said he’s staying in the race regardless of whether Harris enters the contest and made a pointed reference to her 11th-hour run for president.

“If you want to be governor, any of the candidates, get in the race,” he said. “The time is now. The challenges are too big. We had a 100-day campaign. So no, you can’t get in at the end of the rainbow.”

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) threw his hat into the ring to be the next governor of California on Tuesday, joining an already crowded field in the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). 

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced he’s running for California governor in 2026, joining the already crowded field of contenders as Gov. Gavin Newsom is termed out of office.