Former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Brings Governor Campaign to Palm Springs

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa brought his campaign for governor to the Coachella Valley on Friday, making a stop in downtown Palm Springs as part of what he’s calling his “affordability tour.”

Villaraigosa met with voters and small business owners, stressing that his campaign is focused on what he describes as “kitchen table issues” impacting Californians every day.

“Highest gas prices, second highest utility costs, and highest home prices — people can’t afford to live here,” Villaraigosa told NBC Palm Springs. “We need a governor that’s focused on that. And I think that’s the difference between me and the current administration. I’m focused like a laser beam on the issues people care about.”

The former mayor, who served as Los Angeles’ first Latino mayor in more than a century, has positioned his campaign around tackling California’s rising cost of living. His tour includes stops across the state, where he is meeting with communities hit hardest by housing, utility, and fuel expenses.

Villaraigosa’s appearance in Palm Springs is part of a broader push to connect with Inland Empire and Coachella Valley voters as the gubernatorial election approaches. He says his plan includes addressing affordability challenges while also ensuring that California continues to grow economically in a way that supports working families.

NBC Palm Springs will have more from Villaraigosa’s stop in Palm Springs and details on his campaign priorities during our 6 o’clock newscast.

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