Mike Bloomberg has plopped down $1.5 million to help elect former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as California’s next governor.

Bloomberg wrote the seven-figure check to a PAC called Families & Teachers for Villaraigosa, a big supporter of charter schools.

That’s a big issue for Bloomberg, who championed charter schools as an option for students during his three terms as New York City’s mayor.

Other wealthy donors have joined Bloomberg in backing Villaraigosa: Netflix founder Reed Hastings kicked in $7 million and entrepreneur Eli Broad gave $2.5 million, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Villaraigosa’s chief rival in the June 5 primary is Lt. Gov. and former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who told the teachers’ union that he would push for a freeze on charter school expansion.

Bloomberg’s decision to open his substantial wallet in the California governor’s race could signal that he will also pour resources into the congressional midterm elections.

Bloomberg’s a proponent of gun control and climate change.