L.A.'s Villaraigosa Backs Kerry

[Nicholas_J]

Democratic presidential hopeful John F. Kerry has picked up the endorsement of Los Angeles City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa, and the two plan to tour Boyle Heights together this afternoon.

Villaraigosa said he was approached by several Democratic candidates but chose to back Kerry because the senator from Massachusetts "understands that America has to invest in revitalizing our cities."

Kerry said he was thrilled with the endorsement, his first from a Los Angeles city official. "He has strong relationships with organized labor, and he's really one of the rising figures of California politics," Kerry said.

Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante has endorsed Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, as has Los Angeles City Councilman Jack Weiss.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-antonio27jul27,1,6265310.story


Kerry was accompanied by Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa, who announced his endorsement of the candidate.

"Senator John Kerry is the best man to revitalize our cities, to invest in the infrastructure in our neighborhoods," Villaraigosa said.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/07/27/state2100EDT0096.DTL


Former State Assembly Speaker and Los Angeles Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa Endorses John Kerry for President
Sunday July 27, 2003

Los Angeles, CA -

Antonio Villaraigosa, City Councilmember for Los Angeles' 14th District and former Speaker of the California State Assembly, today endorsed John Kerry for the Democratic nomination for President.

"John Kerry has an inspiring vision for America. He is truly committed to empowering our communities by creating good jobs, improving our public schools, and increasing home ownership," said Antonio Villaraigosa. "John Kerry has the best combination of character, policy-making experience, and national security credentials to get our neighborhoods and our country back on track."

City Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa was elected in March 2003, becoming the first modern candidate to defeat an incumbent in a primary election. He was elected to the California State Assembly in 1994 representing the 45th District in the heart of Los Angeles and then he was elected Speaker of the Assembly in 1998.

http://www.johnkerry.com/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7053&security=1&news_iv_ctrl=-1


Not firm yet, but people I know in DC have told me that Both Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein are in the line to endorse Kerry soon.

[election_2004]

1. Good for him!

Villaraigosa seems very influential with working-class voters, so if Kerry has his endorsement I'm happy.

As long Willie Tanner doesn't win California...

[Nicholas_J]

2. Yah

He is the first person in modern history to unseat an incumbent in L.A. Has a great deal of backing among Hispanics, who are pretty much fiscally liberal, and very socially conservative. In California. Hispanics are overwhelmingly democratic, with 45 percent of hisplanics considering themselves firmly democratic. something like 17 percent are republican, and the rest are not very politically driven.

[election_2004]

3. Kerry courting the Hispanic/Latino vote

Kerry could do very well with Hispanic voters, since he has both Villaraigosa and Cisneros on his team.

But I'm still pretty bummed about the pea-brained Bustamante endorsement, though. It's very scary to think that this guy could become Governor of California if the recall happens.

[JI7]

5. interesting thing about bustamante

the interesting thing about bustamante is that many greens and some democrats who supported the recall or didn't mind it said if gray davis goes, it would mean bustamante would be governor, and we would get a "real democrat" in office. in fact pete camejo still says he would not run if cruz bustamante is in the running to become governor. but good for joe lieberman for getting his endorsement.

[JI7]

4. i voted for villaraigosa

considering the type of person villaraigosa is, his endorsement of kerry says a lot about kerry. villaraigosa would only back those he saw as supporters of workers rights, environment and other liberal causes. i really wanted him to win the mayors race, but i still see him as having a good future in the democratic party. i can see kerry appointing him to a position in his administration, or a possible run at governor or senate. villaraigosa is someone the democratic party nationwide should watch for. ( did you know his last name was a combination of his last name and his wife's last name? rather than she take his name or they both keep their names, they decided to take both their names and combine it , that's where the name "villaraigosa" comes from. i always thought that was nice)

[blm]

6. That's good to hear...

I only remember him from the 90s and in recent years haven't been following regional politics as much.

[genius]

7. This is interesting

Villaraigosa's a real libera.

[SGrande]

8. Aside from Sharpton and Braun, Kerry is the most liberal

tied with Kucinich in my opinion because of the pro-life votes, which im sure he has attoned for, but its hard to be considererd liberal with those votes on the table

[blm]

9. You have to forgive Kucinich on those...

at least he was sincere about his respect for all life. The GOPers just pushed those votes through as cosmetics for their base. They really piled them on, and it falsely gave DK a less liberal rating. He should be right on par with Kerry if not just to Kerry's left.