LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Bumpy Road of a Rising Democratic Superstar

With his runaway election this week as Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa catapulted to national prominence as a leading Latino politician and rising Democratic superstar. Although he's a virtual unknown outside his home state of California, Mr. Villaraigosa is a graduate of UCLA and has been actiive in California politics and activist circles for more than 20 years.

In many ways, Villaraigosa reminds me of Bill Clinton...the charisma and dazzling charm, the strong appeal to many racial groups of voters, the passion and enthusiasm, the relentless optimism and restless energy, the heart for fighting for the downtrodden.

And the hardscrabble youth and bumpy personal road. Villaraigosa grew up poor, angry and troubled in the barrios of East Los Angeles, the Mexican-American son of a hard-working single mother and an alcoholic father who abandoned his family.

Antonio's success story is a colorful testament to the faith of a mother and a wise high school teacher, and of redemption. I just wonder if his personal history is too troubled, too colorful for him to be a serious national contender for higher public office.

To acquaint you with the new Mayor of Los Angeles, read 25 quick facts about the colorful life and career of Antonio Villaraigosa.