Villaraigosa rallies Latino voters (Andria Kowalchik)

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other prominent Latinos held a rally for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who is running for Lieutenant Governor, at the Cafe de Camacho in Los Angeles on Monday.

Those in the crowd held signs that said, "Latinos por Newsom vice gobernador," and began chanting "Newsom" as he and Villaraigosa walked in. 

The mayor began by speaking about the history of Los Angeles and its diversity. He said it was in that very spot that 44 Mexicans founded the city.

He went on to talk about Newsom and said he "is on the forefront" of issues in California, from universal healthcare to homelessness to affordable housing. 

Villaraigosa said Newsom’s bold ideas transformed San Francisco, and he is capable of not only addressing the needs of California, but also reforming it.  

"Gavin Newsom will return the golden shimmer to California's future," Villaraigosa said.

Civil rights worker Dolores Huerta, L.A. councilman Jose Hiuzar, labor leader Maria Elena Durazo and Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard also attended to endorse Newsom. 

Roybal-Allard said that as the first Mexican American elected to Congress, she is very proud to back Newsom. She lauded his support of the DREAM Act.

"You just have to look at his record to see he is the right man to support our community," she said.

The morning’s biggest surprise came from a patron of the café, current Lt. Governor and Newsom’s opponent Abel Maldonado, who sat at a nearby table and listened to the speeches while sipping coffee. 

When asked what they were doing there, an aide for Maldonado said: “Just getting coffee. We were a little thirsty.” 

Labor leader Maria Elena Durazo did not take kindly to Maldonado’s presence, using her time speaking to remind voters of the lieutenant governor’s history of safety violations at his family farm in Santa Maria. 

“We don’t want someone speaking on both sides of their mouths,” she said. “If you’re going to be with the Latino community, then be with the Latino community.” 

Despite the interruption, the crowd was enthusiastic in their support for Newsom, who Dolores Huerta described as “having a heart and caring about the community.” 

Reach reporter Andria Kowalchik here.

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