LOS ANGELES -- One day after San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced an exploratory bid for governor, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he is focused on his current job and did not give any indication whether he plans to seek higher office.

"I love being mayor of the city of Los Angeles," Villaraigosa said at an afternoon news conference, repeating a phrase he has often used.

Villaraigosa is often mentioned as a possible candidate in what is expected to be a crowded field for the 2010 Democratic gubernatorial nomination, along with Attorney General Jerry Brown, a former governor, Newsom, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell and former State Controller Steve Westly.

When Villaraigosa successfully sought a city council seat in 2003, he said he would serve a full four-year term, a pledge he broke when he ran for mayor in 2005 and defeated then-incumbent Jim Hahn.

Villaraigosa faces a campaign for re-election in 2009 and recently held a series of fundraisers designed to dissuade serious challengers.

"I'm having a great time building a foundation on the issues of education, public safety, the environment, traffic and public transportation, jobs in the city," Villaraigosa said. "I'm focused on being mayor of Los Angeles and that's what I was elected to do."

If Villaraigosa runs for governor, he would have history to overcome. Three of the last four mayors -- Richard Riordan, Tom Bradley and Sam Yorty -- all were defeated in their bids to become governor.