In a landslide victory Tuesday, Antonio Villaraigosa defeated incumbent James Hahn to become the next mayor of the nation’s second largest city, Los Angeles.
After nearly 135 years, it’s about time a Latino took back the office.
The race, which included considerable name-calling and mudslinging mostly from Hahn at Villaraigosa, had many voters appearing less as Villaraigosa supporters and more as Hahn detractors. Hahn ran on the slogan, “Los Angeles can’t trust Antonio Villaraigosa,” while his opponent went with “Vote Hope” and informally, “Sí, se puede!” (“Yes, we can!”).
In a matchup of the same two candidates four years ago, Villaraigosa lost just as handily as he won this round. Coupled with a low voter turnout, Villaraigosa’s victory is somewhat soured.
However, a win is still a win, and Villaraigosa’s election to office is certainly a boon not just to Los Angeles, not just to the Latino community, but also to the life, energy and leadership of Democrats nation wide.
While Villaraigosa built his campaign on charisma and promises, Hahn stressed his experience. But his inability to successfully address the city’s problematic public school system and traffic issues during his time in office left voters hungry for change.
At least with Villaraigosa in office, Los Angeles will get a much-needed change of pace.
Villaraigosa started his political
career in the labor movement and then moved to the California State Assembly. While he was speaker of the Assembly, voters strongly supported his $9.2 billion school bond measure. His two years as a city councilman were less successful, moving only one major initiative, a plan to lower prescription drug costs.
Critics claim Villaraigosa’s plan for L.A., including an expensive subway expansion, is overly idealistic. Some also cite shady campaign contributions (later returned) as a bad way to start a mayoral run. Also, Villaraigosa said several times during his city council campaign that he would not run for mayor this cycle, and later promised to finish out his four years as a councilor if he won.
Villaraigosa’s record is far from perfect, but he now has the potential to make Los Angeles and the unheard communities within the city boundaries, major players in the nation
and world.
Though Villaraigosa has made an effort to minimize it, the symbolic
nature of his victory cannot be
underestimated. With his new post, Villaraigosa has an unprecedented opportunity to move Latino issues into the national consciousness. Arguably the most underrepresented group in politics, Villaraigosa’s victory launches him into ranks of other prominent Latino politicians including San Antonio Mayor Edward D. Garza, San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales, Albuquerque Mayor Martin J. Chavez and Miami Mayor Manuel A. Diaz.
For Villaraigosa and Los Angeles, opportunity abounds. So now that he’s made history, what’s next? The city of Los Angeles requires an action-oriented mayor just as much as the nation needs Latino representation. Curbing gang violence and making more housing available is a tall order for anyone. This time, Villaraigosa will have to keep his promises. He will have to serve several competing interests at the same time. Los Angeles demands it.
What happened in Los Angeles on Tuesday is bigger than just a man winning a race and bigger than just a city choosing a new mayor. Villaraigosa’s success or failure in the next four years will help determine the role of American Latino politics in the next decade. The weight on Villaraigosa’s shoulders is heavy.
Let’s hope he carries it with strength and care.
Si, el puede?

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