Antonio Villaraigosa

Attorny General Jerry Brown: Getty Images PhotosA campaign fund for Attorney General Jerry Brown reported more than $200,000 in campaign contributions over the weekend, possibly a start for a campaign for the 2010 gubernatorial race.

The $205,000 reported on Sunday included several donations from prominent labor unions whose support is critical for any Democratic candidate in California.

Brown said Monday that the donations could be used for a gubernatorial campaign in two years, a possibility he's mentioned before.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa arrives in San Francisco today for a fundraiser tied to his 2009 reelection campaign.

But as the San Francisco Chronicle reports today in a front-page story, the fundraiser is raising some eyebrows. Included on the guest list are such high-profile San Franciscans as former Mayor Willie Brown and District Attorney Kamala Harris.

Villaraigosa and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom are both considered potential foes in the 2010 Democratic gubernatorial primary.

When asked if her attending the fundraiser is a swipe at Newsom, Harris tells the paper: "There is no way that Gavin would think this is a swipe at him. Gavin and I have a very good working relationship. My friendship with and my support for Antonio Villaraigosa is not to the exclusion of Gavin Newsom. I have room in my heart for more than one mayor."

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: Getty Images Photo

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa had some tough words for President Bush at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Miami this weekend.

"It's time to put the issues of poverty and opportunity back at the front and center of our national conversation. I believe it begins with sending a message to Washington that we will no longer mortgage our nation's future on an endless war while shortchanging the critical investments in America and Americans," Villaraigosa said, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Meanwhile, the mayor is preparing to officiate at his first gay marriage ceremony today. Bruce Cohen, who produced “American Beauty,” will be wedded to art consultant Gabriel Catone.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown: Getty Images PhotoCalifornia Attorney General and former governor Jerry Brown is still the prohibitive favorite for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2010, according to a new analysis by a political insider.

In a posting this week on the California Majority Report, longtime Democratic operative Steve Maviglio continued to list Brown in the top spot in his rankings of Democratic would-be governors, based on name recognition and measured steps Brown has taken to build support.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: Getty Images PhotoJune 8, 2010, may seem like a long time from now, Democratic candidates for California governor already lining up. Here's the rundown.

The leading candidate for governor used to be Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, but for the past year, Mayor A.V. has been in a political funk caused by a combination of personal pecadillos and poor staff work that has strained his relationship with both the City Council and the media.

Pundits say that the Supreme Court’s marriage equality decision is likely to enhance San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s standing as the progressive candidate for Governor in the 2010 Democratic primary.  Newsom triggered the case five years ago by allowing same sex couples to obtain marriage licenses in his city.  The move, according to a Democratic analyst, puts Newsom in a league of his own when it comes to competing for liberal votes in the primary against potential rivals like Jerry Brown, Antonio Villaragiosa, and John Garamendi. 

In a stunning announcement, City Hall sources revealed that Marcus Allen told Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa that he will not be accepting the City’s #1 Staff Position.  Despite having assurances that the votes for his confirmation were in place, the Mayor’s office did not do the job that needed to be done to rally support for the compensation package that Allen needed.  It was rumored that Allen required 290k to take what is arguably the toughest job in Los Angeles (with apologies to Police Chief Bill Bratton). This salary was comparable to what CAO’s in smaller cities throughout Southern CA earn and is on par with what County CEO (and former City CAO) Bill Fujioka commands.

Now that Averrell “Ace” Smith, the veteran California political consultant, appears to be finished with his work in this year’s presidential race, a big question is on the minds of the Golden State’s political observers: Where will Ace land?

With California’s 2010 gubernatorial candidates set to begin the preliminary stages of their candidacies as soon as this coming fall, Smith has at least two options.

He managed Antonio Villaraigosa’s 2006 campaign for Los Angeles mayor and Jerry Brown’s run for Attorney General in 2005. With both Villaraigosa and Brown seen as likely contenders for the governor’s seat, Smith may have to choose between them.