This post was originally published on this site
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced his endorsement of Vice Mayor Rex Richardson in the race for Long Beach’s next Mayor.
“I’m proud to endorse Vice Mayor Rex Richardson because he has a proven track record of tackling Long Beach’s biggest challenges and delivering results,” said Governor Newsom. “I’m confident in his ability as Long Beach’s next Mayor to bring solutions to homelessness, community safety, and economic recovery.”
Governor Gavin Newsom has served the State of California since 2019 and is the former Mayor of San Francisco. He’s led California through an unprecedented series of crises and working to build a better future for all our kids. Newsom gained national recognition as an advocate for marriage equality, reproductive freedom, and gun control.
“I’m honored to earn Governor Newsom’s endorsement and am looking forward to collaborating with him as the next Mayor of Long Beach” said Vice Mayor Rex Richardson. “Local and state leaders need to work together to deliver results for our community. As Mayor, I’ll bring people together to address our biggest challenges and I am grateful for Governor Newsom’s confidence in my ability to lead.
This announcement comes on the heels of receiving the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project Los Angeles (PPAP) endorsement and shows the strong coalition of support that is behind Vice Mayor Richardson’s historic campaign. His commitment to advocate for civil rights and social justice – including access to safe and legal abortion – is the leadership that Long Beach residents deserve.
Since launching his campaign on January 3, 2022, Vice Mayor Richardson built a broad coalition of support from the Democratic Party, Labor, Environmental, and Women’s Rights organizations, and community leaders from nearly every corner of Long Beach.
In the primary, Vice Mayor Richardson finished first, earning 44% of the vote and dominating in seven out of Long Beach’s nine council districts. His priorities include addressing homelessness, protecting neighborhood health and public safety, investing in opportunities for youth, and confronting the effects of climate change.
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, 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.
