Gubernatorial candidate and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pledged Tuesday that he will only serve one term if elected.
“I am committed to only seeking one term for governor of California. With so much uncertainty in California and across the country, I want to be the leader who gets things done and provides proven leadership,” Villaraigosa said in a statement Tuesday morning. “I would rather be transformative and successfully lead our state in the next four years, than be mediocre for the next eight. I’m making this pledge for one reason: so every day I serve is about delivering for the people of this state.”
Villaraigosa is also a former speaker of the state Assembly, and is one of nine major candidates running in the June 2 primary.
The race received a major shakeup Sunday when Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin, withdrew amid allegations of sexual assault, sexual misconduct and other wrongdoing. Swalwell resigned his U.S. House seat a day later.
Aside from Villaraigosa, the other Democrats in the race are Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary and former California attorney general; San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Rep. Katie Porter, entrepreneur Tom Steyer, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and former state Controller Betty Yee.
The two Republicans in the race are Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, a Fox News contributor and former adviser to British prime minister David Cameron.
The top two finishers in the primary, regardless of party, will advance to the general election in November.