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LA Mayor Won't Run for Governor

With Villaraigosa out, Jerry Brown leads Democratic pack

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 23, 2009 9:39 AM CDT

(Newser) – The mayor of Los Angeles said yesterday he will not run for governor of California next year, upending the race to succeed Arnold Schwarzenegger. In an interview with the Times, Antonio Villaraigosa said he made the "agonizing" choice to stay at city hall to tackle the fiscal crisis and spiking unemployment. The announcement is a boon for former governor Jerry Brown, the current AG, who is expected to pick up Villaraigosa's support.

Brown and San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom are now the leading contenders for the Democratic nomination. Another candidate, possibly Rep. Loretta Sanchez, might jump in. Villaraigosa wasn't polling well, and Los Angeles magazine recently branded him a "failure" on its cover. He insisted that only concern for LA and his family informed his decision. His supporters are already talking about a 2012 Senate run.

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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced his decision Monday not to run for governor of California in 2010, saying he wants to finish his job as mayor. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Antonio Villaraigosa gestures during an interview Monday, June 22, 2009, at City Hall in downtown Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom answers a question during an interview after the California State Supreme Court ruled in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

California Attorney General Jerry Brown speaks at a news conference in San Francisco, Thursday, April 23, 2009. He is now seen as the leading Democratic candidate for governor. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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Both Brown and Newsom can make a demographic claim to Villaraigosa's support— Brown with Latino voters and Newsom with younger voters. But it looks like Brown is in a better position to benefit organizationally. - Dan Schnur, USC professor

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LA Mayor Won't Run for Governor