LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 – – Long Beach Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, who is running for mayor of Long Beach, gives a speech at a rally and BBQ at the headquarters for The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO to help mobilize for this election season in Los Angeles on September 17, 2022. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Long Beach City Councilman Rex Richardson will be Long Beach's next mayor.
Richardson, who is the city's vice mayor, will become the city's first Black mayor after Councilwoman Suzie Price conceded the race Tuesday. Richardson had 42,697 votes in Monday's update, compared to 34,531 for Price, a lead of 55.29% to 44.71%.
"The votes are still being counted in all of the LA County races, including the Long Beach mayor's race. And, although there remain an unknown number of votes still to be tallied, the trend is going in the wrong direction for our campaign," Price said in a statement. "It appears that the people of Long Beach have spoken and selected Vice Mayor Richardson as our next mayor. I wish him nothing but success on the journey ahead."
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The 39-year-old Richardson issued a statement proclaiming victory a short time after his opponent's concession.
"Long Beach voters had a choice between two public servants who have worked every day to make our communities a better place to work, live, and raise a family," he said. "I want to commend Council member Suzie Price for sharing her ideas for the future of our city. She and I share a love for Long Beach and want to ensure every resident is safe and thriving. I look forward to collaborating with her and her supporters to unify our city and move us forward.
"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. I look forward to getting started with our transition."
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Richardson will replace Robert Garcia, who was elected the U.S. House of Representatives in California's 42nd District last Tuesday. Garcia served two terms as Long Beach's mayor.
A former student body president at Cal State Dominguez Hills and union organizer, Richardson became the youngest person to serve on the Long Beach City Council after his election in 2014.
He lives in North Long Beach with his wife and two daughters. He is expected to be sworn in on Dec. 20.
Price, a former criminal prosecutor and victims' rights advocate, was also elected to the Long Beach City Council in 2014.
