Democratic California gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa has acknowledged that his party bears responsibility for the state’s affordability crisis. Speaking at a recent candidate forum, the former Los Angeles mayor stated, “This state’s unaffordable … it happened under our watch … this wasn’t because of Donald Trump.” The remarks have drawn significant online attention for the unusual moment of a prominent Democrat directly attributing California’s high costs to policies implemented under long-term Democratic control.
The clip, originally from CNN, was posted on X by the account @RNCResearch. In the video, Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democratic candidate for California governor and former Los Angeles mayor, speaks during what appears to be a candidate forum. He directly addresses the state’s affordability problems, stating that the situation developed under Democratic leadership.
Villaraigosa says, “This state’s unaffordable … it happened under our watch … this wasn’t because of Donald Trump.” The footage focuses on his remarks; it does not show the full context of the event or audience reaction.
Online Reactions to Villaraigosa’s Comments
Several users welcomed the admission while calling for political change. One wrote, “I appreciate the honesty, but at this point, serious change is needed. Time to give Republicans a chance to clean up the mess.”
Another commented, “Californians MUST reverse course and give Republicans a CHANCE to turn things around!!”
Others questioned his record and motives. “First time I’ve ever heard a democrat admit to their faults. Too bad he wouldn’t do anything about it. LA collapsed under him,” one user posted.
A different commenter noted, “So he’s saying Gavin Newsom did a terrible job, then why would anybody want Gavin Newsom for President?”
The moment was notable because a leading Democrat was publicly blaming his own party’s decades-long rule in California for the state’s affordability crisis – a sentiment that was percolating among many haggard voters.
The video went viral and put Villaraigosa at the center of the larger discussion on who’s to blame for California’s unaffordability. And as the 2026 race for governor draws near, his comments are fueling that discussion.
