LA’s mayor chosen to chair Democratic Convention

How’s this for a California political ripple? Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has been selected chairman of this summer’s Democratic National Convention. Not such a surprise, considering the premium the Obama campaign places on collecting Latino votes in November.

Political upshot: It boosts the profile of one of three Dems most often mentioned as a future contender for governor. The others, of course: state Attorney General Kamala Harris and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom.