Antonio Villaraigosa

Antonio Villaraigosa served as the 41st Mayor of Los Angeles from 2005 to 2013, becoming the first Latino to hold the office in over a century. A prominent figure in the Democratic Party, his tenure was marked by major initiatives in transportation, public safety, and education. Prior to his mayoralty, he was a member of the Los Angeles City Council and served as Speaker of the California State Assembly, where he was a key ally of Governor Gray Davis.

Early life and education

Born Antonio Ramón Villar in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, he was the son of Mexican American parents. His early life was marked by economic hardship, and his father abandoned the family when he was five years old. He attended Theodore Roosevelt High School but dropped out before later earning his GED. He subsequently attended East Los Angeles College before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1977. During his university years, he became involved with the Chicano Movement and the United Farm Workers, organizing for labor activist César Chávez.

Political career

Villaraigosa began his political career as an organizer for the United Teachers Los Angeles teachers' union. He was first elected to public office in 1994, winning a seat in the California State Assembly representing the 45th district. His rapid rise in state politics culminated in his election as Speaker of the California State Assembly in 1998, succeeding Cruz Bustamante. As Speaker, he worked closely with Governor Gray Davis on legislation concerning education and healthcare. After being termed out of the Assembly in 2000, he was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 2003, representing the 14th district.

Mayor of Los Angeles

Elected in 2005 after defeating incumbent James Hahn, his administration launched several ambitious projects. He championed the "Subway to the Sea" expansion of the Metro Rail system, including the Expo Line and the Regional Connector Transit Project. He oversaw a significant expansion of the Los Angeles Police Department under Chief William J. Bratton and initiated the "Safer Cities Initiative" in the Skid Row area. His administration also gained partial mayoral control over the Los Angeles Unified School District, appointing several members to the Los Angeles Board of Education. Major civic projects completed during his tenure include the reopening of the Griffith Observatory and the construction of the LAPD's new headquarters.

Post-mayoral career

After leaving office in 2013, Villaraigosa joined the advisory board of Herbalife and became a partner at the investment firm Venn Strategies. He was a national co-chair for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and was later considered for several positions in the Cabinet of the United States, including Secretary of Transportation. In 2017, he launched an unsuccessful campaign for Governor of California, finishing third in the primary behind Gavin Newsom and John Cox. He has served on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards, including for Cadiz Inc., Capitol Peak Partners, and the University of Southern California.

Personal life

He married his first wife, Corina Raigosa, in 1987, combining their surnames to create "Villaraigosa"; the couple had two children and divorced in 2007. In 2021, he married attorney Patricia Govea. He has been open about past personal struggles, including a DUI arrest in the 1990s and an extramarital affair during his time as Speaker of the California State Assembly that became public. A lifelong Los Angeles Dodgers fan, he has been involved with various civic and cultural institutions, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Category:1953 births Category:American people of Mexican descent Category:Mayors of Los Angeles Category:California Democrats Category:Living people