California Dem, former LA mayor Villaraigosa admits Trump's not to blame for state's homelessness, cost crises

Villaraigosa said Democrats still need to confront problems created under their own party's leadership after calling Trump "a threat to our democracy."

"I've been the stink bomb in the elevator, if you will, in challenging some of this," Villaraigosa said. "And so this candidacy is important."

"We had a Senate race, it was a Democrat and Republican. The last governor's race was a Democrat and Republican. That's what this one will be," Villaraigosa said. "In fact, the experts have said there's a better chance of two Democrats than two Republicans."

He warned California relies too heavily on wealthy taxpayers and said additional taxes could drive residents and revenue out of the state.

"We over rely in this state on the billionaires and on high-net-worth individuals," Villaraigosa said. "We're a very progressive state and we have a progressive tax system. And so, if they all leave, we won't be able to balance our budget."