The Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee threw its support behind mayoral candidate Antonio Villaraigosa Tuesday night, bolstering the city councilman’s campaign to unseat incumbent Mayor James Hahn.

With 60 percent of the vote required, Villaraigosa, won by a 116-72 margin.

Both candidates are Democrats. Hahn, who had fought hard to try to win the group’s backing, said that his endorsement by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor would offset the Democratic Party support of his opponent.

Villaraigosa also drew the support of former mayoral candidate and State Sen. Richard Alarcon, who finished a distant fifth place in the March 8 election for Los Angeles mayor. Sherman Oaks congressman Brad Sherman also endorsed Villaraigosa.

Hahn and Villaraigosa are vying for the endorsements of the remaining candidates, former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg and L.A. City Councilman Bernard Parks. Neither has yet endorsed a runoff candidate.

Villaraigosa, who finished first in the primary, faces incumbent James Hahn in the May 17 runoff election.