Former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has criticized both his confirmed and potential Democratic rivals in the California gubernatorial primary, particularly those who had roles in the Biden administration. He accused them of helping to obscure former President Joe Biden’s declining abilities.
Villaraigosa suggested that former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra were complicit in a scheme to mask Biden’s cognitive issues, especially following the release of a book titled “Original Sin” by CNN’s Jake Tupper and Axios’ Alex Thompson.
“At the top levels of our government, officials either actively colluded or completely misled the public about Joe Biden’s mental decline,” Villaraigosa stated. “Voters have a right to know the truth. When did Kamala Harris and Xavier Becerra realize this? And why didn’t they speak up?”
Villaraigosa, who held office as mayor from 2005 to 2013 and previously ran for governor in 2018, is aiming for a comeback in the upcoming 2026 election. This follows Harris’s unsuccessful attempt at the presidency in 2024.
He urged both Democrats to “own their part in this situation” and to “offer an apology to the American people.”
In response, Becerra defended his actions, stating that he engaged with the president when significant decisions needed to be made. “It’s evident that the president is aging, but he has made his intentions clear. He oversaw the world’s largest health agency, expanded healthcare access, negotiated prescription drug prices, and helped steer us through a global pandemic,” he remarked.
His comments echo sentiments from other prominent Democrats with future political aspirations, such as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who have recently distanced themselves from Biden amidst growing concerns about his age and fitness.
Among the Democrats, Harris might find it most challenging to separate herself from these claims, given her role as Biden’s vice president for four years.
“People can debate the details, but ultimately, this election and our president should focus on substance. The difference is clear,” Harris noted after Biden’s underwhelming debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024. “Joe Biden, whom I worked with daily, always aimed to unite people.”
Villaraigosa mentioned that after Biden withdrew from the 2024 race in July, he believed Biden was “a selfless patriot who prioritized the country above all else.”
Recent polling indicates that Harris is leading in the hypothetical Democratic primary for California governor, while Villaraigosa and Becerra each garnered only 2% of support.
As speculation grows around current California Governor Gavin Newsom’s ambitions for 2028, a Berkeley poll revealed that many believe he is setting his sights on the presidential election. There are concerns about California’s $10 billion budget deficit, homelessness issues, and the housing crisis.
Villaraigosa and Becerra did not respond to requests for comments regarding the situation.
