By Guy F. Smith
May 23, 2005

Los Angeles City Council Member Antonio Villaraigosa, 52, a former Speaker of the California State Assembly, won election May 17 to succeed incumbent Mayor James K. Hahn. Both are Democrats.

The race was a rematch of the 2001 election. Four years ago, Hahn defeated Villaraigosa and won a four-year term as mayor of the nation's second largest city, which has a population of about 3.9 million.

Villaraigosa becomes the city's first Hispanic mayor since 1872 and has a four-year term.

Conference of Mayors Executive Director Tom Cochran said that Hahn was Chair of the Conference's Airport Security Task Force formed during the difficult days following the tragic events of 9/11.

"The nation's mayors are most appreciative of Mayor Hahn's leadership on the critical issue of airport security," Cochran said. "We look forward to the continuing strong relationship the Conference of Mayors has had over the years with Los Angeles," Cochran added.

On election eve, the mayor-elect said he would work vigorously to bring the city's diverse racial and ethnic groups together.

He also praised Hahn, calling him a "good man" and saying he's provided two decades of public service to the city.

As press reports noted, Villaraigosa's decisive victory places him among the front ranks of the nation's Hispanic political elite. He will be sworn in July 1.

Los Angeles has a diverse population, estimated to be 48 percent Latino, 31 percent Anglo, 11 percent Asian and 10 percent African-American.

USA Today reports that the election builds on steady gains by Hispanics in municipal, county, state and federal elections, growing from 30 percent in the past eight years from 3,743 in 1996 to 4,853 in 2004.

A lawyer, Villaraigosa received his B.A. at the University of California Los Angeles and a J.D. from the People's College of Law, Los Angeles.

A California Assembly member (1994-2000), he was Assembly Speaker 1998-2000.