(FOX 5/KUSI) — Gubernatorial candidate and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa visited places impacted by the Tijuana River sewage crisis on Thursday.
With California’s Primary Election approaching, Villaraigosa is polling at less than 5%, according to a new Emerson poll. However, Villaraigosa is one of several candidates who have joined San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre to discuss the region’s environmental concerns.
Since Aguirre called on gubernatorial candidates to visit the South Bay–Betty Yee, Katie Porter, Matt Mahan and Tom Steyer have all toured the sewage crisis.
South Bay leaders urge state of emergency for toxic Tijuana sewage crisis
During their visits, all expressed support for declaring a statewide emergency, including Villaraigosa.
“This is an emergency, and as governor, I’ll declare a State of Emergency on day one,” Villaraigosa said. “We all deserve the right to breathe clean air, swim in the ocean, and be free from toxic contamination. Yet for too many South Bay families, that isn’t the case.”
Antonio Villaraigosa discusses the Tijuana River sewage crisis with San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre. (The Office of Supervisor Aguirre)
Hydrogen sulfide levels coming from the Tijuana River are now exceeding previous highs from 2024. These conditions have led to chronic headaches, runny and stuffy nose, eye irritation and coughing for many who call the South Bay home.
Matt Mahan addresses TJ River sewage crisis, campaign for governor
Instead of solving the problem, Villaraigosa said leaders are pointing fingers at one another. He added that the crisis is “the failure of the federal government of the United States and the government of Mexico and the state of California.”
Paloma and Villaraigosa visited impacted areas such as the Saturn Boulevard hotspot, Dairy Mart Road and even a local San Ysidro elementary school.
“Our children are being exposed to dangerous levels of toxic air simply walking to school and sitting in their classrooms,” Aguirre said. “They are learning without reliable access to fresh air, getting sick, and missing out on a safe and healthy childhood.”
Katie Porter says she will declare state of emergency for TJ River sewage crisis if elected governor
Villaraigosa said that if elected, he will sit down leaders from the Mexican and American government to discuss what they can all do to address the pollution conditions.
“If this had happened in La Jolla, I can guarantee you this—it’d have been fixed years ago,” Villaraigosa said. “But it’s happening in an area of working-class people who work hard every single day, struggling to make ends meet and everybody’s pointing the finger.”
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