Vice Mayor Rex Richardson Launches Campaign for Long Beach Mayor

Long Beach, CA — Vice Mayor Rex Richardson is declaring his candidacy to be Long Beach’s next Mayor. In an announcement video called “Thrive Together,” released to his supporters, Richardson states he will bring the same spirit of unity and collaborative leadership to help Long Beach rise above the challenges the city faces today.

 
“Long Beach provided me with an opportunity to put down roots, build a family, and spend every day making our community a better place for every resident,” stated Richardson. “I’ve seen the results of what happens when neighbors come together and create change. I’m ready to bring this same spirit of unity and collaboration to our entire city as your next Mayor.”
 
Richardson shared his vision for creating a city where every person and every neighborhood is provided the resources they need to thrive.
 
“We have our work cut out for us – navigating a pandemic and getting our economy back on track while ensuring no neighborhood is left behind. We’ve proven that when we work together, there is nothing we can’t overcome,” continued Richardson.
 
Richardson shared that he will focus on addressing homelessness, protecting neighborhood health and public safety, investing in opportunities for youth, and confronting the effects of climate change.
 
Elected to the city council in 2014, Richardson’s track record of pursuing positive change for his community has left a tangible mark on the entire city. He worked alongside neighborhood leaders to bring vital public safety, economic, and community investments as part of his “Uptown Renaissance” initiative. He secured significant investments into the revitalization of North Long Beach that led to the creation of the Michelle Obama Library, the Doris Topsy-Elvord Community Center, and the restoration of the wetlands at DeForest Park.
 
Richardson was instrumental in building Long Beach’s first municipal homeless shelter with supportive bridge housing that has helped unhoused individuals move off the streets. He also championed creating the Long Beach Office of Equity to improve community health outcomes, which has led to a more equitable response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Richardson worked with our firefighters to restore essential public safety services, such as Paramedic Rescue 12, which shortened emergency response times citywide. His proven track record of championing safe and healthy communities is recognized with an endorsement from the Long Beach Firefighters Association, Local 372.
 
“Whenever we needed a champion for public safety, Vice Mayor Rex Richardson stepped up for our community,” stated Long Beach Firefighters Association President Rex Pritchard. “He fought hard to restore vital public safety services during a time when their existence was considered expendable. Long Beach Firefighters are proud to endorse Rex because he is the leader we trust to prioritize our city’s safety and health as our next Mayor.”
 
Richardson has also secured early support from regional leaders, State Senator Lena Gonzalez and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn.
 
“Rex Richardson and I worked closely together to lift up Long Beach’s working families and ensure all our neighborhoods received the investments needed to thrive,” stated Senator Gonzalez, the Honorary Chair of Richardson’s campaign. “His collaborative approach to solving complex and pressing issues has consistently produced positive and transformative results for our city. I am confident Rex will continue to lead with resolve and integrity as our Mayor.”
 
“Rex’s bold and forward-thinking leadership is exactly what Long Beach deserves in their next Mayor,” stated Supervisor Hahn. “I’ve worked closely with Rex for many years as the Congresswoman and County Supervisor representing Long Beach. He has consistently been a collaborative leader in solving the region’s challenges, leading our economic recovery, and addressing homelessness with a comprehensive, mental health and service-oriented approach.”
 
“I’m grateful for the endorsements from our local firefighters, State Senator Lena Gonzalez, and Supervisor Janice Hahn and appreciative of the faith they have in my leadership at this critical moment for our city,” said Richardson. “In the coming months, I look forward to listening to Long Beach residents and working together to shape a city where every neighborhood and resident is healthy, safe, and thriving.”
 
Richardson also announced a fundraising haul of more than $250,000 from 750 donors to help jumpstart his campaign.
 
About Long Beach Vice Mayor Rex Richardson
 
Rex Richardson is a Long Beach City Councilmember and regional leader with a proven track record of collaboration and problem solving that has helped improve the lives of Long Beach residents.
 
Throughout his life, Richardson has overcome tough odds. A son of working-class parents, Richardson’s father served our country in the Air Force, and his mother––a child of the South who integrated her school––worked as a union assembly line welder at General Motors. Richardson’s family fell on hard times when his parents divorced, exasperated by housing insecurity and deep poverty. With the help of public schools and youth opportunity programs, Richardson set on a path toward a better future. His and his mother’s hard work culminated in Richardson’s college acceptance, opening the door to a life different than he had experienced growing up. After serving as the Student Body President of Cal State Dominguez Hills, Richardson became a community organizer with SEIU Local 721, helping blue-collar workers in South Los Angeles County. At age 25, he bought his first home in North Long Beach, the first in his family to own real estate. Soon after, he began serving as Chief of Staff to Councilmember Steve Neal. Seeking to create greater change, Richardson won his City Council race in 2014 with 73% of the vote, making history as Long Beach’s youngest member ever to serve. Richardson quickly established himself as a collaborative leader and change agent, seeking to provide equitable investment and opportunities for the members of his community. He was re-elected to his position in 2018, and his peers chose him to serve as Long Beach’s Vice Mayor twice.
 
Richardson is the Immediate Past President of the Southern California Association of Governments and currently serves as a South Coast Air Quality Management District Board Member.
 
He and his wife, Dr. Nina Richardson, Ed.D., are homeowners in North Long Beach, where they reside with their two young daughters.
 
For more information, visit www.JoinRexRichardson.com.