Long Beach Elects First Black Mayor Rex Richardson

LONG BEACH, CA — Rex Richard made history on Tuesday, becoming the city of Long Beach’s first Black mayor after opponent Suzie Price announced her concession.

Since election day on Nov. 8, Richardson kept a steady lead in the race, advancing to more than 10 points ahead of Price on Nov. 14, according to election results from the Los Angeles County Clerk’s office. Results from Monday afternoon showed Richardson with 55 percent of the vote and Price with 44 percent.

“As Long Beach’s next Mayor, I will focus on tackling our city’s biggest challenges and working daily to make City Hall more responsive to residents’ needs,” Richardson said on Twitter. “I look forward to getting started with our transition. Thank you, Long Beach!”

Before campaigning for Mayor, Richardson served two terms on the City Council representing North Long Beach. In his time in the position, he accomplished many things including opening the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, helping build the city’s first municipal homeless shelter with permanent supportive housing and starting the Office of Equity.

“North Long Beach is a community filled with families like mine — hardworking and determined people who dreamed of their opportunity to thrive. Yet without a bank, crumbling infrastructure, and suffering from severely polluted air, our community’s families lacked the amenities to support our aspirations,” Richardson said on his campaign website "I've seen the results of what happens when neighbors come together & create change. I'm ready to bring this same spirit of unity & collaboration as our next Mayor."

Although only 32 percent of the county’s votes from the Nov. 8 election have been counted, Price announced her concession on Tuesday. Price said it was clear that the vote was going in another direction that didn’t support her campaign.

“It appears that the people of Long Beach have spoken and selected Vice Mayor Richardson as our next mayor,” Price said in a statement. “I wish him nothing but success on the journey ahead.”