WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 02: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (L) and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg participate in a forum about education in big cities at the Katzen Arts Center on the campus of American University March 2, 2012 in Washington, DC. Calling their municipalities “city-states,” the mayors suppored the idea of individual school districts being able to compete with states for the $4.35 billion “Race to the Top” grant program created by President Barack Obama. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg began a two-day campaign swing through California Sunday at an East Los Angeles restaurant where he was joined by former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
What the Bloomberg campaign billed as a "canvass kickoff" at Teresitas Restaurant came one day after the announcement of Villaraigosa's endorsement of the former New York City mayor for the Democratic presidential nomination.
"Our country is facing challenging times without a true leader in the White House," Villaraigosa said. "Mike Bloomberg is the answer to solving the divisiveness Donald Trump has created, bridging the political divide in Washington, and helping to restore unity in this country once again."
Villaraigosa will serve as a national political co-chair, advise the campaign on policy development and strategy and serve as a national surrogate on behalf of the campaign, the Bloomberg campaign announced.
The former L.A. mayor and state Assembly speaker is the latest in the series of California mayors to have endorsed Bloomberg, following San Francisco Mayor London Breed and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo.
Villaraigosa's successor as mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for the nomination Jan. 9, calling him, "an incredible partner in delivering progress for L.A."
Bloomberg is set to campaign in Compton, Fresno and Sacramento on Monday.
